APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The Appleton Common Council has voted against purchasing the land behind the Paper Valley Hotel for a future exhibition center.
On Wednesday night, city leaders voted 8-6 against buying the land.
The result means that if project leaders hope to move forward, they would need to come up with a new location and plans for the expo center. Officials say at this point, that appears unlikely.
Outagamie County is the current owner of the land, and the county board agreed to sell it to the city of Appleton for $2 million last year.
The exhibition center project was projected to cost $28 million. It would’ve been attached to the hotel and managed by hotel officials.
Proponents of the plan say the center would bring in millions of dollars to the city each year.