The future of the historic Belleview Biltmore hotel in Belleair is still up in the air.
In a recent meeting town leaders discussed possible options to replace the hotel.
The mayor says whatever happens to the hotel a decision needs to be made soon.
The Belleview Biltmore is known as the white queen of the Gulf, but Belleair town leaders are considering options that would remove it from its throne.
“We have to plan for the future. We can’t just sit there with our hands underneath us an do nothing,” said Belleair Mayor Gary Katica.
Like most people, Belleair Mayor Gary Katica wants to save the vacant historic hotel, but he says it’s costing the city big bucks with no return in sight.
For now the mayor said the hotel, with its Queen Anne-style architecture and rich history, is racking up an $800,000 a year bill.
“We’ve had to raise mileage rates continuously for the last four or five years to compensate for the 800,000. We’ve had to let employees go that were long time employees. We’ve had to double up things,” Katica said.
Staff will look into zoning changes that could change the type of developments that can be built here. These were much different talks than the original plan to restore the hotel.
“My wish is that someone would come and restore it. Whether that is possible I have no idea,” said Katica.
The maypr said all he and the rest of the people who want to save the hotel can do is pray something is decided soon.
“God help the Belleview Biltmore. Please do something,” Katica said.
The mayor says he’s hoping a decision on the historic hotel’s future will be made by the end of the year.