Lake Wales city commissioners have asked entrepreneurs to invest in the area to help boost city value.

But a recent purchase of a historic building and the file to foreclosure that followed has upset some local business owners.

Seminole Hotel Apartments is one of the longest standing hotels in Polk County and even though the walls are stained and worn now, there’s a local investor that told Spectrum Bay News 9 he wants to bring money into this economy by building the place back up.

“It’s also an area that needs revitalization. Everything within the downtown area is not in great condition and needs to be rehabbed,” said hotel owner Henry Kebabjian. 

That’s something the City of Lake Wales with the support of Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson agree with, but Kebabjian says they just don’t want him to do it 

“What’s the point in giving it to the CRA and putting a listing out for investors to come out and bid? In the meantime that’s taking it away from me,” he said.

The code enforcement department charges $250 per day on the building in lien fees and this started years ago. A total of $290,000 is what’s owed today, a high price tag but one that Kebabjian said has been waived with other properties he’s invested in.

“One of them had a code violation with code enforcement liens that amounted to 15-16 thousand - they waived those,” he said. 

But not this time, and Kebabjian now says it feels personal.

“The only issue with this building right now is the city liens and actions,” he said.

He is continuing with his plan in hopes that the city will see the value in what he hopes to bring to an underserved area.