Wright City has finalized the purchase of the Big Boy’s restaurant property, five months after officials announced their intention to rid the city of a deteriorating building that many called an eyesore. The city paid $170,000 for the 2.5-acre property. The property’s former owners, Paul Scott King Sr. and his sons, Kevin and Paul Scott King Jr., paid just under $30,000 in back taxes during the Jan. 31 closing, according to city officials. The city envisions constructing a new city hall and police department facility on the property, located on Veterans Memorial Parkway and easily visible from Interstate 70. However, they have yet to determine how fast the city will proceed with demolishing the two structures and construct the new city building. At last Thursday’s board of aldermen meeting, officials discussed briefly about salvaging some of the tables, plates and other items that residents or businesses may be interested in buying. Other notable items that may provide some sentimental value to people include stained-glass windows and a mural painted on one of the restaurant’s walls. The board has yet to decide whether the items will be auctioned off or given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. “What if we put an ad in the paper if (people) want some of the historical stuff,” Mayor David Heiliger said. “We could bid it or whatever we need to do if somebody wants some cups or tables. I know Karen (Girondo) has received several phone calls from people.” “The most important thing is we got (the building) secured,” Alderman Jim Schuchmann said. “As it warms up and not such a pain to get in there, we can take an assessment of what we have that is of value.” Big Boy’s was closed by the Missouri Department of Revenue in April 2005 because the Kings failed to pay state sales tax. Since then, the building has been vacant and the Kings allowed the structure that housed Big Boy’s to fall into disrepair. The inside of the restaurant looks nearly the same as it did when it closed in 2005. City officials said previously they hope the acquisition eliminates questions about the property’s future. Initially, when the city announced it was going to buy the property in September, the closing was expected to be completed. The purchase was delayed as an environmental test needed to be performed, which found no issues with the land. In its heyday, the restaurant was a popular stop for local residents and highway travelers. According to published reports, Big Boy’s moved to the Wright City location in 1948. The restaurant underwent several changes in ownership, with Paul S. King Sr. buying the business in the mid-1980s. However, once the restaurant closed, city officials and residents routinely expressed frustration that more wasn’t done to maintain the property and its structures. Earlier this year, one of the three building was demolished after it was condemned. The Kings had been cited on multiple occasions over the years, mainly for the dilapidated state of the buildings on the property. An attempt to have the restaurant placed on the National Register of Historic Places failed in 2007.