Historic Crookston hotel appears on way out

A landmark downtown Crookston hotel appears headed for demolition.

City officials say it appears the 118-year-old Wayne/Palace Hotel will be torn down by the end of the year. They discovered earlier this week that the main and second floors had collapsed into the basement of the four-story building.

The building's ownership passed to Polk County in 2003 when its owners failed to pay taxes. The city says it's become a hazard.

Demolition had been considered for some time, but was on hold because of efforts to restore the hotel. A preservation group put the Wayne/Palace Hotel on a top 10 of the state's most endangered historic places.

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Officials say it's just too late and too expensive to save it.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald

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