Owner gets 30 days to demolish motel

August 30, 2002

By KELLI YOUNG Tribune Chronicle

WARREN - The city's health board will send notice to the owner of the

Imperial Motel that he must demolish the building within 30 days or face

court action.

The health board unanimously approved the demolition as an emergency measure

at its monthly meeting Wednesday, calling the motel a fire hazard,

structurally unsound and containing black mold.

The motel's owner, Guarnieri, did not attend the meeting to contest

the board's decision. A message seeking comment from Guarnieri was not

returned Wednesday evening.

Health officials condemned the property Aug. 22 after viewing the inside of

the building and declaring it unfit for habitation.

Police were called to the motel, 415 E. Market St., at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 20 by

the city Health Department after they noticed some broken windows. A police

report said someone broke a window to gain entry to the motel, and it

appeared that someone had spent the night there.

''It's a death trap,'' said Deputy Health Commissioner Pinti, as he

explained that he found doors with large wood beams bolted across them,

which he said creates a fire hazard for vagrants and firefighters.

Sanitarian Tony Angelo said the building also contained black mold and

wooden planks were laid across areas where the floor had eroded.

Pinti explained that since the board declared the demolition as an emergency

measure, health officials can serve Guarnieri immediately with a notice that

he is to have the building torn down. Pinti said he will give Guarnieri

about 30 days so Guarnieri can find a contractor to perform the work.

After 30 days, Pinti said he will petition the court to make Guarnieri pay

for the demolition.

Pinti said it costs about $2,300 to demolish a 1,100-square-foot structure.

Recommended Posts