SEBRING — Although no one has come forward with a check, potential buyers are still expressing interest in Harder Hall. City Administrator Bob Hoffman said he receives as many as three phone calls a week from investors wanting more information about the historic hotel and 13.6 acres of property on Little Lake Jackson, and the city is not marketing or advertising it. John Joyner, a Sebring resident who previously managed luxury hotels in Miami, said he is interested in a joint venture with some other local investors to restore the hotel and build condos. ...more

December 8, 2007

SEBRING — A traffic signal will be added to the intersection of Scenic Highway and Sebring Parkway within six months. Sebring City Council approved at Tuesday's meeting spending $75,000 for the $150,000 project. Ramon Gavarrete, county engineer, said the county has been considering a signal at the intersection since the Parkway opened in 2002. Traffic is now at a high enough capacity that a signal is warranted, Gavarrete said. ...more

November 22, 2007

He's worked for the city for more than three decades, knows virtually every inch of its plumbing, and in less than a month he'll be taking over the reins. ...more

November 15, 2007

SEBRING – Harder Hall is up for sale again after the buyer, Steve Israel, pulled out his contract when the Sebring City Council refused his request to extend the due-diligence period. Nils Richter, a representative for Israel, said Tuesday night they could not secure financing for the project to renovate the hotel and build condominiums on the site. "We didn't find it easy in this market to get the financing we need," Richter said. "We are trying to put together something that makes financial sense." Instead of extending the due-diligence period, city council members told Richter to submit another contract if he is still interested in purchasing the property. ...more

November 6, 2007

The City Council will consider a familiar proposal Tuesday - the extension of the due-diligence period on Harder Hall. ...more

November 5, 2007

SEBRING — The due-diligence period on Harder Hall ends Monday, and city officials haven't heard anything to indicate the deal won't move forward. If all goes according to plan, Steve Israel, an investor from New York, will move into the next phase of the purchase. The city has a contract with Israel, who will purchase the hotel for $5.6 million. Assistant City Administrator Scott Noethlich said he has not heard anything that would suggest the buyer would not follow through with the contract. The previous purchaser, Sebring Hospitality Group, backed out of its contract Oct.4, the day before its due diligence was to end. Because the city had a back-up contract with Israel, he became the new buyer of the hotel. Nils Richter, a general contractor representing Israel, did not return phone calls seeking comment before press time. ...more

November 4, 2007

SEBRING — Five city buildings will soon be retrofitted with technology to reduce its $65,778 annual energy bill, and the city isn't pay a dime to make it happen. Ewald Probst, owner of Energy Saving Systems, said his company will supply and install energy-saving equipment at their cost and will share in the energy bill savings over a five-year period to recoup the costs. ...more

October 18, 2007

SEBRING — Sebring Skate Park, one of the most happening afternoon hangouts, will soon have an attendant watching over it. Skaters will pay an annual user fee of $30 to cover the costs of an attendant working from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday – the park's busiest times. City council members approved the hiring of an attendant to best protect the city from potential lawsuits and to enforce the park's rules. Rob Ross, senior loss prevention consultant with Public Risk Management, said the state grants statutory immunity to cities with skateboard parks. Loopholes exist that leave the city open to potential lawsuits, Ross said, such as failure to obtain written consent from participants under 17. ...more

October 5, 2007

A giant sigh of relief was stifled a bit Wednesday when Sebring City Council members voted to sell Harder Hall for $5.55 million, but have to wait 30 days until the deal is final. Just the same, we're ecstatic that the city was successful finding seemingly quality buyers willing to pay a fair price. ...more

September 6, 2007

SEBRING — Excitement filled City Hall as city council members unanimously voted to sell Harder Hall for $5.55 million. ...more

September 4, 2007