Lucas County approved $500,000 to support its downtown Hilton hotel and set aside an additional $1 million for future maintenance on the public-private project.

The payment will be used to refill the hotel’s cash reserves, which have been depleted by an equipment failure and lack of cash flow due to the hotel’s less-than-expected performance since its opening in 2022.

The commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the initial $500,000 payment at their meeting Tuesday, but Commissioner Anita Lopez broke from her two colleagues and voted against the $1 million transfer to the Lucas County Economic Development Corporation. Both motions passed, but the spending of the funds must be approved by the LCEDC.

Commissioner Pete Gerken said the air-conditioning failure was a reminder of the hotel

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