Nov. 28—Late last week, city officials confirmed with the Appeal that Hotel Marysville was currently up for sale and that the company that owned it, Urban Smart Growth, was looking to sell its properties in the city after the passing of its former CEO.
Lance Robbins, the former CEO of Urban Smart Growth who died on Aug. 24, previously detailed his plans for the building, which included modern apartments and commercial office or retail spaces — all ideas that appeared less likely to happen once the potential sale of the building became public.
On Tuesday, Urban Smart Growth COO Aaron Iskowitz responded to questions from the Appeal about the sale of Hotel Marysville and the surrounding properties owned by the company.
"After Lance's passing, which deeply impacted all of us, Urban Smart Growth underwent a strategic reassessment of our portfolio to better align with the current locations of our staff," Iskowitz said in an emailed statement to the Appeal. "As a result, we are now prioritizing projects in locations where our staff is based, prompting the decision to sell three specific properties in Marysville."
Iskowitz said as the company looks to sell its properties in the city, it is seeking a buyer for Hotel Marysville that would continue the "vision" Robbins had.
"We remain excited about the potential of the Hotel Marysville project and are actively searching for a developer who shares Lance's visionary approach and passion for this project," Iskowitz said. "Finding a developer who embodies Lance's vision will be instrumental in ensuring the project's continued success and its alignment with our original aspirations. I am confident we will identify a developer who can dedicate the necessary focus and resources to ensure that the revitalization of the Hotel Marysville is a success."
Marysville Community and Economic Development Director Dan Flores previously told the Appeal that weeks after Robbins died, Urban Smart Growth submitted "rough plans" to the city for Hotel Marysville.
"The plans show the redevelopment of the Hotel Marysville to a redeveloped hotel with a dining hall/event center on the bottom floor, as well as some commercial space on the bottom floor," Flores said. "The plans show the development of a rooftop bar/restaurant as well."
Flores said a "couple of weeks" after the city received those plans, the city was notified that Urban Smart Growth was considering the sale of Hotel Marysville and the surrounding properties.