HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council approved a contract with Hospitality Real Estate Counselors Tuesday.

The Memphis, Tennessee, firm will produce a study of the market and its needs for a new hotel and convention center.

The contract will cost the city $14,500. The study was requested after a task force was assembled to get Hutchinson a better hotel and convention center.

The group is in discussions with Leisure Development Group — the current owner of the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center. The task force wants the study completed before negotiations proceed with Leisure Development.

City Councilman John Daveline says the city is at a crossroads when it comes to attracting convention business to the area:

 

City Manager John Deardoff says the study should begin in about three weeks and will take about two months to complete.