SIDNEY, NE - After years of being unoccupied, the Fort Sidney Inn is getting a facelift.

"The major stuff is done," future manager of the Fort Sidney Inn Hard Sabhaya said. "Now it's just minor. Like repairing the skin basically. The bones are still solid, and we're really excited to see what happens."

Hard Sabhaya and his family started the renovations a couple of weeks ago. Plumbing and Electrical work is already done. They hope to be done and have the building ready to open by the end of July. The family is living at the hotel during the renovations.

"We've talked to many people here, like just neighbors and city officials, everything," Sabhaya said. "They've all said they loved this place back when it used to run. We kind of want to bring that shine back to it, like the glory back to it."

Half of the building will remain a hotel while the other part is converted into office spaces and a convenience store. The big gathering hall near the lobby will remain. The hotel room that includes parts of the old Post Commander's Home will also stay untouched except for some minor touchups such as painting.

Sabhaya says the goal is to make the building into a focal point of the town.

"The dream for this place is to be the centerpiece of the town, like bring the whole community together."

Although the Sabhaya family has been heading up the renovation, they have not had to do everything themselves. They say the town of Sidney has been nothing but helpful with the project.

"The people of Sidney have shown us lots of support," Sabhaya said. "Anyone we go to ask for help, they welcome us with open arms. They say, 'Hey, come on in. What can I do for you? What can I show you?"

The Sabhayas immigrated to the U.S. a decade ago. Small town America has really grown on them.

"We have a word in gujarati, which is santi and it just means peace," Sabhaya said. "That's what this town has. On the road all you see is farms and greenery. It's this amazing lifestyle."

As a thanks for all the community support, Hard says they want to donate 10 percent of profits back to organizations in the area once the building is open again.

Anyone with concerns can contact the hotel at 308-203-1890.