PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The city of Pikeville is reacting to reports that the University of Pikeville is planning to buy the Hilton Garden Inn and convert it into student housing.

In a statement released Monday morning, the city expressed “deep concern” with the plan, saying it would eliminate a key asset of the city’s economy and is “simply the wrong move to make.”

“While we understand and support the University’s need to provide more options for students, eliminating a key asset of our city’s economy — a large hotel — is simply the wrong move to make,” the unsigned statement sent to local media reads. “Pikeville has endless potential to grow and attract visitors but drastically reducing hotel capacity presents a significant hurdle.”

The statement goes on to say eliminating the hotel would have a negative impact on regional tourism and the Appalachian Wireless Arena.

“We urge UPike to take a step back from the current plans and re‐engage in conversations to consider
student housing options that do not present such a blow to the community and our economically vital
tourism industry,” the statement says.

Mountain Top News has reached out to the university for comment, but has not gotten official reaction.

When contacted by Mountain Top News, a representative of the hotel said that there is no contract for the purchase and the sale is not yet final.

This is a developing story and will be updated.