SEBRING — Momentum continued this week toward the sale and rehabilitation of Harder Hall.
South Florida Senior Living put up a $50,000 deposit — ahead of the July 27 deadline — to continue its work on determining whether the purchase and plans for the historic hotel property are financially doable.
Under the contract, if South Florida Senior Living were to back away from the purchase at the end of six months, the city would keep $50,000. South Florida Senior Living representatives have said the plans are to transform the building into an independent living facility for seniors.
The Sebring City Council also approved rezoning the property to allow for greater density. The developers have submitted tentative plans for a second phase that would include development, possibly independent or assisted living units and some compatible commercial uses.
Harder Hall, which was originally constructed as a hotel in the 1920s, has remained vacant since the 1980s. The city has been trying to sell it for several years. The building has deteriorated and concerns have been expressed that unless someone bought it, demolition would be the only option.