Here is a Beloit Daily News item I missed all day today because I’ve been wanting to get my hands on Morrowind. The Daily News served up another one of it’s trademark articles. An article with the five dollar handle “Ramada sold at auction to unnamed buyer!” Per the usual with these items it’s been reported without the guy who wrote it getting an inside source.

Here is the snip from this informative gem:

“The purchaser has requested anonymity and Amcore intends to honor that request,” said Amcore Bank Vice President of Special Assets Ron Carlson. “I thought this was … very good for the community. I also thought it was great for the purchaser.”

Carlson said the buyer was from the Stateline Area, and indicated he would continue operating a hotel on the property. The new owner would take over the property within 30 to 45 days, Carlson said.

So this Mr. Anonymous spent less than 2.3 million to get the hotel. A local guy who can throw that kind of money around. The article also states how First Rockford Group looked into picking up our hotel, but didn’t even enter a bid because of the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) issues we have.

In the coming 30 to 45 days it will be fun to see just how much of this press release will turn out to be in fact absolute bullshit. Not that I think the Daily News would kiss ass with some high rollers, no they are reporters. I would be willing that Mr. Anonymous isn’t local. And maybe Mr. Anonymous has a reason he doesn’t want his name released. But then what do I know?

Well those crafty goons at Sheldon’s have a new page up that has info on the auction of the hotel. Now I don’t want to call anyone a liar but this statement from the Beloit Daily News article “Ramada will be sold at auction” makes me want to:

“I want to stress the fact the hotel is not closing,” Chowdhury said. “That’s what people are saying. I think they misunderstand the word auction. Someone buys it and will keep it open.”

Well yes it does appear that people misunderstand the word auction. Here is a blurb found on the auction page:

ATTENTION BUYERS! This property is also an excellent alternative use candidate that could offer untold upside potential. The hotel could easily be converted to a senior or assisted living facility, or utilized as low income housing. Please check the local zoning ordinance to determine which alternative uses conform to the current zoning.

Plus the fact that a header right after the date says “An Outstanding Hotel/Alternative Use property!” The exclamation point is theirs folks. This makes me think that the bank doesn’t give a shit who buys us for what.

So maybe Hotelblues.com will one day close up. No hotel no website. My muse is the hotel. I realized that a long time ago. Well if it does close I say a party is in order.

“S. Beloit Ramada heads to auction” is a news article from the Rockford Register Star that make mention of the poor hotel I work at.

“Ramada will be sold at auction” is an item from the Beloit Daily News that I found interesting. The new GM even got some press:

Reaz Chowdhury, general manager of the Ramada Inn of Greater Beloit, said rumors the hotel is closing because of the auction are not true.

“I want to stress the fact the hotel is not closing,” Chowdhury said. “That’s what people are saying. I think they misunderstand the word auction. Someone buys it and will keep it open.”

“Business is improving,” Chowdhury said. “The books are looking better. We’re just getting out of the winter, but we’re heading for the summer, which will be better for us.”

The statement “the hotel was being sold as a whole, not as a property to be redeveloped” has me baffled though. Here’s the Auction Page again. I guess I find out on or after April 30th what’s going on.

It looks like Sheldon finally has some info on the auction. You can go to this page, which is just an auction index. The goods on the actual auction are found on this out of wack page.

Suggested Opening Bid:
$1,000,00 or $6,400 per room

Now I’m assuming that $1,000,00 is 1,000,000. I’m a little bummed by our sell price. Do you think the bank thought of this amount and said it like Dr. Evil with a pinky to their bottom lip? And for that matter can me and my friends throw in six or seven grand and buy a room?

I’m telling you we are going to get bought up by some cheap mother-fuckers. I just shudder to think what kind of beast will come in when this is over.

I found the guys who are handling the auction of the hotel. Did I mention the hotel was up for auction? Whoops it must have slipped my mind. Anyway they have no mention of the hotel. So it must be one of those hush-hush kind of deals. If and when I find out some more on this auction I’ll throw it up here.

So here I am at Circuit City shopping with the new guy for a PC for work. What a time. We found a decent PC here at Circuit City. The only bad thing about it is the fact it is a Celeron. On board goddamned video. I hate those. No AGP port to slide a cheap GeForce 2 into.

I also ate launch with the dude. Again I will say… No this is the first time? He’s ok. I wouldn’t want his job. That I know. Well I got to go. I futzing with a Circuit City “broadband” display computer. I say “broadband” because my 56k modem at home is faster.

I will chat with you all later.