 An iconic hotel in Brainerd is getting new life. Lakeland News has learned that a purchase agreement is in place for the former Brainerd Hotel and Conference Center and that the plan is for the property to open up again as a hotel. The facility has been vacant since it closed in the fall of 2013. Mohamed Elkotib has agreed to purchase the hotel. Elkotib also owns hotels in Virginia, Minnesota, and Albert Lee. Sources tell us Elkotib is an electrical engineer by trade and has a plan in place to revitalize and reopen the property as a hotel. The Brainerd Hotel and Conference Center originally opened as a holiday in in 1975 and sits on an eight and one-half acre site. Throughout the years, it was also a Ramana Inn and a Red Roof Inn. According to a real estate listing, the facility encompasses over 90,000 square feet and includes 150 rooms, a swimming pool and several conference and meeting rooms. Now the asking price according to the listing was $1.1 million. It's not clear what the agreed purchase price is. We'll have much more on this story in the days to come.