BEAUMONT — The Beaumont city council is closing in on a big deal on a vacant building downtown.
City councilman W.L. Pate said the council’s plan is to buy the old AT&T building off Main Street and have a new business there.
"Whatever we decide to do is going to be the thing that generates the most benefit to the citizens of Beaumont,” Pate.
Councilman Pate said the council would like a hotel in the area because it’s located downtown near the convention center. However, Pate said the council is open to other suggestions as well.
"We want to develop downtown, we want people to come here, but more importantly we want people to understand what a great place Beaumont is to do business and it is,” said Councilman Pate.
Councilman Pate said buying the building is a great deal for the city because the building was $8 million but the city is buying it for $1 million.
He said the money will come from the city council’s general fund which is in good shape.
According to the city agenda, the general fund is expected to be greater than 38 million dollars by the end of September.
"Beaumont’s got a much higher fund balance than a whole lot of other cities I mean we are running 25 percent when the average city thinks they are in great shape with 15 percent,” said Pate.
The city council will vote on this purchase during the city council meeting tomorrow.
The council will also vote on renovating the Tyrrell Park Community Building.
Overall, Pate said the focus is bringing more people and investors to Beaumont.
"We feel very good about this about being able to move forward and have one more downtown property on the river that can be developed,” said Pate.
