(KAIR)--Construction on the new Holiday Express Hotel in downtown Atchison progresses. 

That includes a change from above-ground power utilities to underground. 

Rumors that the city of Atchison is paying for that aspect of the work has been circulating locally, but Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking says there's no truth to the rumor. “That's between the developer and Westar. As far as development, the developer is paying the cost to relocate the utilities underground. The city is not involved in the project.”

Since plans for the hotel first began, some residents have maintained the belief the city is somehow involved in the development and payment for the project.

“The only real role the city had in it was we owned the property,” Cocking said. “So, we sold the property—just like anybody else who owns property. But, the property is being developed by a private developer, using private dollars to construct this hotel.”

The property, a public parking lot at 4th and 5th Streets, was sold to the developers for $100,000. 

Cocking reiterates that residents can reach out to city hall with questions or concerns regarding the hotel project.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the developer had originally intended to keep the above ground utilities. Instead, utilizing the underground method has always been the plan. The story has been edited to reflect this.