PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The University of Pikeville is responding to concerns by the city of Pikeville over a plan by the school to purchase the Hilton Garden Inn and convert it into student housing.
The plan was not publicly known until Monday morning, when the city issued a statement from the city commission criticizing the move.
The unsigned statement expressed concern that removing the hotel from downtown would have a negative impact on tourism and the city’s economy.
But UPike is responding by saying it was surprised by the city’s criticism and counters that, rather than causing harm, the move will actually help drive economic activity.
”We are surprised the City Commission questions our decision to purchase one of the three downtown hotels and convert it into student housing,” the statement says. “We believe growing UPike by adding new programming will provide significant and sustained economic benefit to both the City and the region. Our rationale is simple; we have a need for additional residence hall space which will allow UPike to remodel and use our other facilities for additional programs. In addition, we can fill the building with students every night. Our students, 50 percent of whom come from Eastern Kentucky, will drive economic development downtown that is significant.”
And despite the conflict, the statement says UPike will continue to work with the city commission for the betterment of Pikeville.
“We believe the future economic health of our region must depend on a diverse economy and we will continue to work positively, as we always have, with the City to move forward with that positive vision,” the statement says.
A copy of the university’s full statement is reprinted below:
“The University of Pikeville has been present in the City of Pikeville for nearly 132 years. We are proud of our home and our long-standing relationship with the City, the hospital, and the other businesses in town. We have worked diligently to partner with the City on a variety of projects, including economic development, athletics facilities, the Appalachian Wireless Arena and a whole host of other projects. We are surprised the City Commission questions our decision to purchase one of the three downtown hotels and convert it into student housing. We believe growing UPIKE by adding new programming will provide significant and sustained economic benefit to both the City and the region. Our rationale is simple; we have a need for additional residence hall space which will allow UPIKE to remodel and use our other facilities for additional programs. In addition, we can fill the building with students every night. Our students, 50 percent of whom come from Eastern Kentucky, will drive economic development downtown that is significant. To do that, we must provide housing accommodations that are up-to-date, competitive, beautiful, and meet the needs of students and parents with regard to safety and security. Purchasing the hotel provides immediate relief for UPIKE’s housing needs and gives us the opportunity and space on campus to grow our undergraduate, graduate and medical programs. We believe the future economic health of our region must depend on a diverse economy and we will continue to work positively, as we always have, with the City to move forward with that positive vision.”
