Memphis, TN (abc24.com) - Months after chunks of concrete tumbled from a downtown Memphis hotel, not much has changed at the site. That may soon change, as its owner, the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is now in talks to sell the Chisca Hotel. COGIC is discussing the sale of the building with an unknown buyer.
"Right now, it is completely a negative on the neighborhood, but it has the opportunity to be turned into a positive." said Paul Morris, with the Downtown Memphis Commission.
Morris told abc24.com the agency is working with COGIC to ensure the buyer actually plans to do something with the building.
"If you own property in downtown Memphis you can't just leave it abandoned, you need to keep it in inhabitable condition, that is what we believe the codes require and that is the position we are going to take," said Morris.
A portion of the hotel fell onto South Main Street in June, 2011. Since then fencing has surrounded the historic hotel. Church representatives did not return calls or emails for comment.
