Lawrence seeks $500,000 from developers of The Oread hotel

Lawrence is seeking more than $500,000 from the developers of an upscale hotel 1 1/2 blocks from the University of Kansas campus.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that a city-ordered audit has found that developers of The Oread hotel filed incorrect sales tax returns. The audit says that led to the city and the county overpaying nearly $430,000 in sales tax rebates from January 2010 through May 2015.

The city also is seeking interest and reimbursement for the cost of the audit, bringing the total bill to almost $520,000. City officials are demanding repayment by Dec. 31.

Thomas Fritzel, a Lawrence businessman who leads the development group behind The Oread, didn’t immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Lawrence seeks $500,000 from developers of The Oread hotel."