Economy Inn Fines Now $300 Per Day
April 14, 2021 at 1:49 a.m.
By Amanda Bridgman-
The property at 3521 Lake City Highway has been on the Warsaw Code Enforcement’s docket for nearly two years.
The motel was severely damaged after a storm in May 2019, causing roofing problems and extensive damage inside. However, this isn’t the first time the hotel has been under scrutiny for violations and, in 2012, police busted two meth labs in operation there. It has been closed since the 2019 storm.
Hari Om and Jay Patel are responsible for the hotel, according to records.
Patel appeared at Tuesday’s code enforcement meeting and was told by Hearing Officer Tom Earhart the project has gone on too long with no progress.
In January, Patel was ordered to secure funding for building repairs and given 60 days to do so. If Patel did not do that, the city threatened to demolish it.
Patel has said most of 2020 was spent settling an insurance claim and dealing with failed bank loans. However, on Tuesday it came to the board’s attention that Patel has been awarded $1.8 million in insurance money and has received about $1.3 million of it so far.
“I don’t remember ever hearing about that,” Earhart said. “What happened to the million and eight and why haven’t we heard about it until now? I want a breakdown to where that’s gone, because funding has been a problem according to all of the people that have been here on your behalf for the last year and a half or so but clear back in August the insurance company awarded you $1.8 million. I’m disturbed that we’ve never heard about getting (the money). It’s always been ‘We need money, we’re looking for money, we can’t come up with the money, we can’t go forward, we can’t do things.’”
“The building has set idle for over a year, longer than that. Has any money been spent on making improvements to the building?”
Patel said just the roof.
Patel was given until March 5 to submit plans to the city that included drawings, proof of funding and to get required paperwork filed with the state. He has not met that deadline.
On Tuesday, Patel said his engineer, who has been working the last six weeks on those plans and drawings, was supposed to appear at the hearing to submit them to the city. However, the hearing went on without the engineer present, and only until the meeting was adjourned did the engineer show up, apologizing for traffic delays.
Earhart asked Patel if he wants him to order it to be demolished.
“I’ve been in this county for 22 years. I can get this done,” Patel said.
“I’m not going to order that your property be demolished today. But that doesn’t mean I’m taking it off the table,” Earhart told him. “We’ve gotta set a fire under you to get something done. This has drug on way too long and as a result, I’m going to fine you ... $300 a day to get this done. That starts tomorrow. The faster you get it done, the faster you’re out from under those fines. But until you get it done, it’s gonna cost you $300 a day. ... We’ll total up your fines on May 11 (the next meeting) and see what progress has been made. I can’t guarantee I won’t order it demolished on May 11. I’m talking about needing to see substantial progress and payment of those fines.”
In other business, other properties that were held accountable Tuesday included the Alan Kado property at 704 E. Center St.
The rental property has been on the code docket for months and was continued to the May 11 meeting for further updates on repairs.
Darwin Busz, owner of the home at 316 S. Union St. that got condemned by the health department on Feb. 5 for no working toilets and uninhabitable living conditions, appeared Tuesday.
Busz said the home is still condemned but both toilets are now in working order and he is working with the housing authority and health department to get things cleared up.
Code Enforcement Officer Dana Hewitt said that since Busz is seeking the help through the proper means, it’s a “wait and see” situation for the city. It was continued for a progress report to the May 11 meeting.
The next Warsaw Code Enforcement hearing is 10 a.m. May 11 at City Hall.
The property at 3521 Lake City Highway has been on the Warsaw Code Enforcement’s docket for nearly two years.
The motel was severely damaged after a storm in May 2019, causing roofing problems and extensive damage inside. However, this isn’t the first time the hotel has been under scrutiny for violations and, in 2012, police busted two meth labs in operation there. It has been closed since the 2019 storm.
Hari Om and Jay Patel are responsible for the hotel, according to records.
Patel appeared at Tuesday’s code enforcement meeting and was told by Hearing Officer Tom Earhart the project has gone on too long with no progress.
In January, Patel was ordered to secure funding for building repairs and given 60 days to do so. If Patel did not do that, the city threatened to demolish it.
Patel has said most of 2020 was spent settling an insurance claim and dealing with failed bank loans. However, on Tuesday it came to the board’s attention that Patel has been awarded $1.8 million in insurance money and has received about $1.3 million of it so far.
“I don’t remember ever hearing about that,” Earhart said. “What happened to the million and eight and why haven’t we heard about it until now? I want a breakdown to where that’s gone, because funding has been a problem according to all of the people that have been here on your behalf for the last year and a half or so but clear back in August the insurance company awarded you $1.8 million. I’m disturbed that we’ve never heard about getting (the money). It’s always been ‘We need money, we’re looking for money, we can’t come up with the money, we can’t go forward, we can’t do things.’”
“The building has set idle for over a year, longer than that. Has any money been spent on making improvements to the building?”
Patel said just the roof.
Patel was given until March 5 to submit plans to the city that included drawings, proof of funding and to get required paperwork filed with the state. He has not met that deadline.
On Tuesday, Patel said his engineer, who has been working the last six weeks on those plans and drawings, was supposed to appear at the hearing to submit them to the city. However, the hearing went on without the engineer present, and only until the meeting was adjourned did the engineer show up, apologizing for traffic delays.
Earhart asked Patel if he wants him to order it to be demolished.
“I’ve been in this county for 22 years. I can get this done,” Patel said.
“I’m not going to order that your property be demolished today. But that doesn’t mean I’m taking it off the table,” Earhart told him. “We’ve gotta set a fire under you to get something done. This has drug on way too long and as a result, I’m going to fine you ... $300 a day to get this done. That starts tomorrow. The faster you get it done, the faster you’re out from under those fines. But until you get it done, it’s gonna cost you $300 a day. ... We’ll total up your fines on May 11 (the next meeting) and see what progress has been made. I can’t guarantee I won’t order it demolished on May 11. I’m talking about needing to see substantial progress and payment of those fines.”
In other business, other properties that were held accountable Tuesday included the Alan Kado property at 704 E. Center St.
The rental property has been on the code docket for months and was continued to the May 11 meeting for further updates on repairs.
Darwin Busz, owner of the home at 316 S. Union St. that got condemned by the health department on Feb. 5 for no working toilets and uninhabitable living conditions, appeared Tuesday.
Busz said the home is still condemned but both toilets are now in working order and he is working with the housing authority and health department to get things cleared up.
Code Enforcement Officer Dana Hewitt said that since Busz is seeking the help through the proper means, it’s a “wait and see” situation for the city. It was continued for a progress report to the May 11 meeting.
The next Warsaw Code Enforcement hearing is 10 a.m. May 11 at City Hall.
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