By Brian Sanders, The Republic
bsanders@therepublic.com
The Columbus Inn, which closed at the end of August, is now owned by Cummins Inc., but the building's future is uncertain.
Cummins purchased the inn for $1.3 million on Dec. 29, according to real estate transfer records.
However, Mark Land, Cummins' director of public relations, said Saturday that the company has not decided how or if it will use the building.
"We haven't determined that yet. ... We had been the guarantor on the Columbus Inn note," Land said. The $1.3 million was the price of the note. "There are no immediate plans to put (the inn) into use," Land said.
"Our plan right now is most likely to look to sell it." However, Land noted that Cummins officials know of no potential buyers.
The building, a 113-year-old Romanesque-style structure designed by C. F. Sparrell, is on the National Register of Historic Places From its construction in 1895 to 1981, the building served as Columbus' city hall.
In 1985, it was converted into a hotel and bed and breakfast featuring 29 rooms and five suites, which attracted some notable guests such as famous glass artist Dale Chihuly.