New St. Elmo's owner talks future

The wooden planks are musty and untouched, but a new electrical cord runs along the floor.

The St. Elmo’s Building in Palouse has a new owner and a new vision.

Seth Anawalt of Pullman, bought the property last November and has been putting work into his vision of its future.

“Every time I walk in there, it’s got a good feeling to it,” Anawalt said. “My idea is to do a balance between a motel and apartments on the second and third floor. I want to plan apartments that could also serve as temporary guest suites or hotel suites. That’s the best of both worlds.”

The 1888 former railroad-boom hotel...