First Selectman Michael Paulhus confirmed Thursday that Common Ground Community, which has transformed historic properties in Manhattan into supportive housing, has maintained an interest in Willimantic since it first visited in April.

“I still continue to talk with (Common Ground) and meet with them to talk about potential possibilities,” Paulhus said.

Michael Skrebutenas, who works for Common Ground exporting its ideas to other towns, said the organization is “very interested in the hotel,” although it has not approached hotel owner Robert Riquier since April.

“Ninety-nine percent of our dealings have been with town officials,” Skrebutenas said of the hotel, valued at $466,130 by the town assessor’s office.

When Common Ground first expressed an interest in branching out into Willimantic, they also talked about other properties. Those included the former YMCA building and the Nathan Hale building, all on Main Street. But, their current interest is “first and foremost, the Hotel Hooker,” Skrebutenas said.

Common Ground’s work has included the rehabilitation and transformation of The Times Square, a New York City hotel located at the corner of 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan.
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