WEST PALM BEACH — The 114-room La Quinta Inn near Century Village could soon be converted into temporary housing for the homeless.
Palm Beach County commissioners have authorized their staff to negotiate with the owner to see if a deal could be struck to buy the 36-year-old West Palm Beach-area hotel for $16.7 million ($15 million for the hotel and $1.7 million to buy out a franchise fee). Several commissioners, though, made it clear that they have qualms about the purchase and may oppose it if and when a contract is presented to the commission.
County officials say appraisals from the firm they hired came in at $13 million, but the county property appraiser estimates the market value to be significantly lower — at $7.5 million. Generally, the county property appraiser values are lower than private appraisals.
Residents at Century Village, concerned about the effects of the conversion, are pushing back. Scores of them have sent emails to county commissioners opposing the purchase.