Maybe you have seen this place.

Admittedly, it is not the same as the Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Beach on Coronado Island sitting prettily next to San Diego. But, it is still a cool looking historic hotel in an area that the City is hoping will be revitalized.

So, what is this hotel used for? It is currently section 8 subsidized apartments for low income people. The owners, The Downtown Development corporation, recently announced that it would be selling the facility. Starting the bids at $670,000, it seemed like a bargain. You could imagine a cool bistro there in the front, some sort of store inside, maybe some trendy offices upstairs or some remodeled rooms right in the middle of the hip 4th avenue area. I think this could be a money maker for the new owners and a great addition to the tax base.

The county didn't seem to think so. They tossed in a bid for $700,000 to try and make sure the place stayed a low income housing facility. I know we need low income housing, especially for disabled and elderly who are unable to work. But, isn't there a less expensive option? Not only would it cost the $700,000, but the lost revenue to the local municipality, not to mention the possible addition of a gem to an area that needs nice new places in order to upgrade.

I know that some may not agree with me that a nice and profitable establishment in a cool old place is better than a income apartments in that same place. But I really do think low income apartments can be placed in other, less expensive places, and more benefit for all could be derived from a nice and profitable establishment.

The latest is that the County has lost the bid, but no word yet on who did get the winning bid. Contrary to an increasingly popular rumor, I was not one of the bidders.