   |
 |
Sign of the Times, Hotel Settles Reopens its Doors
Sign of the Times, Hotel Settles Reopens its Doors 12/29/12
CBS 7 News Reporter
December 29, 2012
tguinn@cbs7.com
Big Spring - Six years and $34 million later, the Hotel Settles has re-opened their doors to Big Spring.
It's been exactly 30 years since the hotel settles has been open to the community; that was until today as the first guests checked in for over night stays.
The hotel is a historic landmark to the community with thousands of stories up and down each hallway.
Employees CBS 7 spoke with say they're ready to create new memories.
The opening weekend was kicked off last night with the lighting of the sign. It was the first time the Hotel Settles sign has lit up the big spring skyline in decades.
"I never saw the sign lit. I remember the sign but it was never on," Mike Knowles, controller for the Hotel Settles said.
Knowles grew up in Big Spring. He spent most of his childhood right across the street from the hotel, where he would peer through the window at the then vacant building and wonder what could be.
"To the imagination of a 7-year-old, I saw the superman building," he said.
Six years of hard work has restored the old charm of the Hotel Settles.
"People sometimes need something to be proud of to continue moving forward and I think this is what's going to give them that," Juan Rodriguez, the General Manager for the hotel said.
The old building where thousands of memories were made is open for the next generation to make some of their own.
"Now there's a place where you can see where that story happened and we'll be able to build our own as well," Knowles said.
Those stories have brought the community together to breathe life back into downtown Big Spring.
"We wanted to make this the best thing that's ever happened to Big Spring and it is right now," Rodriguez said.
And as the sun sets on another day, the newly lit sign is a reminder that Big Spring is here to stay.
Tonight through Monday the hotel will only cater to current and former Big Spring residents for overnight stays as a way to say thank you.
Doors will open to the public on new years day.