A Ross businessman was the successful bidder today at an auction of a historic hotel in the township.

Robert Colosimo offered $140,000 for the Evergreen Hotel on Babcock Boulevard. The property is at the busy intersection of Babcock and Peoples Road.

The building, which stands on about one acre of land, had been seized by state Attorney General Tom Corbett. The previous owner, James D. Nauman, forfeited the property after he pleaded guilty to drug sales charges in 2006.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund drug enforcement programs.

Mr. Colosimo declined to discuss his plans for the 135-year-old building. He owns The Barn, a garden supply business, less than two miles away on Babcock.

The hotel was built in 1874. For more than a century it had been run as a rest stop for travelers, private club, gourmet restaurant, night club and bar. It had been operated in recent years as JezeBelles Showbar, a gentlemen's club that featured nude dancers.

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