The Yakima City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to continue with plans to turn the Great Western building into a boutique hotel. The city will lend $60,000 to Joe Morrier's JEM development for a consultant on the project.

Yakima is trying to help get Morrier approved for a million dollar HUD loan toward the remodel. The federal housing money needs to be assigned to a project by the end of May. Only certain projects qualify.

Joe Morrier is the same man who owns the Hilton Garden Hotel in downtown Yakima. Council members had some concerns about the project before voting. If Morrier is approved on the loan but defaults, the city would be responsible for the payments.

Council members say they believe the hotel will bring jobs and high-end tourists to the city.

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