Historic Concord hotel closure forces dozens of residents out

CONCORD, N.C.,None — Apartments inside a historic Cabarrus County hotel are closing, and dozens of people are being forced to move out.

46 tenants must leave their apartments by Oct. 31.

Tenant, Joey Estes, learned about the closing when a neighbor called him.

"Some people are worried because they haven't found a place yet," he said.  "I'm worried for them because I don't want to see anyone out on the streets."

President of the Hotel Concord Board of Directors, Allen Craven, told Eyewitness News the decision to close the units was difficult but inevitable.

Due to the cost of utilities, insurance and employees working 24 hours a day, the owners cannot afford the bills.

"We are in the red," said Craven.

A group of 200 community members saved the hotel from a wrecking ball in the 1960s by purchasing the building,

"My dad was one of the original stakeholders," said Craven.  "He was a doctor and his office was across the street."

The apartments have been used as affordable housing since.

The ballroom and dining area will stay open for events and Sunday brunch.

Craven said the owners are doing everything they can to keep Hotel Concord a part of the Concord community.

Owners are also considering an attempt to sell the property once the residents have moved out.

They are working with churches and Social Services to help tenants find other homes.

WSOC