ASU professor's neglect irks Superior officials

[Source: Ryan Gabrielson, Tribune] -- Glenn A. Wilt Jr. has taught scores of Arizona State University students about finance and real estate investment during his 45 years as a business professor. But officials in Superior are puzzled at what guided Wilt to purchase many of the tiny mining town's abandoned theaters, shops and houses only to neglect the structures. The professor has amassed a vast real estate portfolio the past two decades, including most of downtown Superior. But dozens of his buildings are collapsing; a few have become unsalvageable ruins. "He seems to feel these falling-down structures are going to be beautiful someday and that there will magically be the money," said Todd Pryor, Superior's fire marshal.

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Jennifer Grimes, Tribune.]

Town of Superior moves into historic Belmont Hotel

[Source: Miner-Sun-Basin News] -- The Town of Superior administrative offices recently completed their long-awaited move to the newly renovated and historic Belmont Hotel Building on Main Street but the sign officially proclaiming the building as ‘Superior Town Hall’ took a while longer to arrive, but arrive it did and in huge letters it advises residents and visitors alike that this is the place to come to conduct town hall business. The town has also created a Community Development Office across the street at 230 W. Main Street jointly with the Superior Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Superior Planning Office. The Superior Police Department remains in the former town hall building and conducts its operation from that facility. [Photo source: Cindy Tracy.]

Belmont to be new home of Superior town government and chamber of commerce

[Source: Cindy Tracy, MyWebPal.com] -- It’s official! Superior Town Hall is relocating to the Old Belmont Hotel, formerly known as the CAAG Building. The move was approved by Superior Town Council at its May 1 meeting. The historic Main Street building with its interesting history will also be home to the Superior Chamber of Commerce. The council approved a year-to-year lease agreement for the chamber to have a facility in the building that will be manned by volunteers. Interim Town Manager Melanie Oliver cited a possible fiscal impact of the move as $5000 for a new phone system with voice mail and $1500 in building repairs. She said the move would start within the month and be finalized by June 1.

Superior Council ratifies contract for Magma partial demolition

[Source: Cindy Tracy, Superior Sun] -- “I think the intent of council is to move on this and clear the property,” said Mayor Michael Hing, in what was possibly the most understated comment of the new year so far, about the crumpling center structure of the Magma Hotel. The remark was part of the brief discussion Jan. 14 that accompanied Superior Town Council’s ratification of an already awarded contract to Spray Systems of Arizona Inc. to demolish the fallen structure and abate the danger it poses to the public.

The town had previously declared the state of the building an emergency and given the owners a time limit to fix the problem, even though they had stated they were unable to do so. The cost to the town is $85,000 plus related and administrative expenses. The town will seek to recover the cost from the property’s owners, but Town Manager Rosie Cordova has stated that this process could take years.