KEARNEY, Neb. — Buffalo County is ready to move forward with the demolition of a prominent motel in Kearney.

The county commissioners voted 6-0 on Tuesday to assign the contract for the demolition of the Midtown Western Inn to Myers Construction of Broken Bow. The bid was for around $145,000. The county expects tenants to be out by mid-October and for demolition to begin in early November.

The county purchased the property for $1.27 million. Officials have not announced specific plans for the space, but say they acquired it for possible future expansion of nearby county offices.

The Inn building is also home to The Lodge, the longest-operating restaurant in Kearney. The restaurant announced on social media that it will close its current location on Sept. 29. It will open at its new location, the former Skeeter Barnes at 516 S 2nd Ave., on Oct. 11.