The Salina City Commission voted 5–0 to deny a request from the owner of the former Ambassador Hotel property to reduce landfill tipping fees for demolition debris at 1616 W. Crawford Street, reaffirming that the City has not subsidized the project and will continue enforcing its dangerous structure order.
The request came from Andrea Investments, the property owner, through its legal representative, who asked the City to lower landfill disposal fees for remaining demolition debris from $96 per ton to $48 per ton. City staff estimated that approximately 4,000 tons of construction and demolition material remain on site, which would equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars in landfill fees at the current rate.
Background of the property
The former Ambassador Hotel was declared unsafe and dangerous by the City in 2024 following a public hearing. A resolution was passed ordering demolition or repair of the structure. Demolition activity began but slowed significantly by March 2025, and equipment and crews eventually left the site.
City staff sent formal notices to the property owner in August and September 2025 after determining there was no measurable progress on debris removal. Since that time, City staff, including City Manager Jacob Wood, have held multiple discussions with the property owner’s representatives regarding completion of the work.
Why the landfill fees matter
According to City staff, the $96 per ton rate applies specifically to large construction and demolition debris such as concrete and rubble. The higher rate reflects the increased difficulty in handling, processing, and storing this type of material compared to regular municipal waste.
City staff emphasized that landfill fee reductions are not within administrative authority and must be approved by the City Commission. Staff also stated there is no precedent for waiving or reducing landfill fees for private demolition projects.
“We don’t waive these fees for ourselves,” staff explained, noting that if the City were to take over the debris removal, it would still be charged the full rate and those costs would be assessed back to the property.
City has spent $0 on demolition
During the meeting, City officials confirmed that the City of Salina has not spent any public funds on the demolition of the former Ambassador Hotel to date.
If the City ultimately moves forward with removing the remaining debris through code enforcement, all costs — including contractor fees and landfill tipping fees — would be placed as an assessment against the property. City officials explained that such assessments remain attached to the property and must be paid before it can be sold or transferred. These assessments are not eliminated through foreclosure or bankruptcy.
Developer’s argument
The property owner’s attorney argued that reducing landfill fees would free up capital that could be redirected toward future redevelopment of the site. Preliminary renderings were shown depicting a potential retail development along Crawford Street, with additional development planned for the rear portion of the property.
However, City officials noted that the plans were conceptual only, with no formal applications, timelines, or financial commitments submitted.
Commissioners also expressed concern that granting a fee reduction would create a precedent, making it difficult to deny similar requests in the future.
Enforcement remains in place
City staff reiterated that their goal throughout the process has been for the property owner to complete the work. However, officials stated that if meaningful progress does not resume, the City is prepared to move forward with enforcing the dangerous structure order, including contracting the work itself and assessing all associated costs back to the property.
After public comment and discussion, the City Commission voted unanimously to deny the landfill fee reduction request, leaving the existing fee structure and enforcement actions in place.