UPDATE: 3:20 p.m.: In a surprise announcement, Columbus Regional Health announced Tuesday afternoon it had acquired the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center from German American Capital Corp. following a foreclosure sale this morning.
German American, the former lien holder of the property, had presented the winning $4.25 million bid at the auction and the hospital system subsequently purchased the property from German American.
Describing the site as a well-known and prominent site, Columbus Regional Health President and CEO Jim Bickel said that is why the hospital system has an interest in it.
The hospital system has grown beyond the flagship hospital of Columbus RegionalHospital, and now includes Columbus Regional Health physicians and various outpatient service locations, a news release about the sale said.
“The west side of our community continues to experience both residential and business growth, which warrants serious consideration of healthcare expansion in the area as well,” Bickel said.
Final plans for the property have yet to be determined, the press release said.
Only one bid was made at the foreclosure sale of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center this morning, $4.25 million by the plaintiff in the foreclosure proceeding — German American Capital Corp., New York City.
It was standing-room-only at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department as officers prepared for the foreclosure sale of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center this morning.
About 90 people were in the Jimmie McKinney Conference and Training Room
for the auction. The sale of the hotel was scheduled to take place at 10 a.m.
The Clarion is the first property on the sale list, with seven properties in total being sold. The Clarion is Columbus’ largest hotel.
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