Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
The Northern Kentucky Independent Health Department has suspended the Florence Inn’s permit to operate.
The Health Department has ordered the premises to be vacated by noon Monday.
The Health Department delivered the notice after a follow-up inspection Wednesday at the former Knights Inn location at 8049 Dream Street in Florence.
Emily Gresham Wherle, public information administrator for the Northern Kentucky Health Department confirmed the action against the hotel
“The permit has been suspended and the owner has been notified,” Gresham Wherle said.
The inn has residential occupants as well as guests, so the Health Department has allowed the hotel to remain open until Monday so they can attempt to find alternate accommodations.
The Florence Inn owner, identified as Sridar Kadaba, of the S&J Hospitality Group LLC, could not be reached for comment.
Florence Mayor Diane Whalen issued the following statement regarding the Health Department’s decision:
“The City received notification late (Wednesday) afternoon that the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department has suspended Florence Inn’s ‘Permit to Operate.’ City staff, including our Fire Marshall and Code Enforcement Administrator have worked closely with the Health Department to address the numerous violations that exist at the Florence Inn. Florence Inn ownership has been given multiple opportunities to correct the deficiencies and violations but the condition of the buildings left the Health Department with no choice but to suspend their permit.
“The city administration has not had time to discuss what our next steps might be. We hope to meet in the next couple of days to discuss and determine our legal options.”
The problems at the dilapidated property have been mounting for some time and nearby merchants say the rundown hotel attracts an undesirable element that negatively impacts their businesses.
The list of violations identified in Health Department inspections also suggests the hotel presents serious health and safety risks to its occupants.
Following an April 2, inspection, the Health Department sent a letter to Kadaba expressing its concerns about the condition of the property, citing 20 violations, 14 of which were considered critical.
These included rodent droppings in unoccupied rooms, bedbugs, exposed wiring throughout unoccupied rooms and floors sagging and unable to support weight. Other critical violations included mold observed on walls ceilings and behind wallpapers throughout the facility and windows broken in multiple rooms.
At the time Kadaba was asked to submit a plan of action that would ensure the necessary repairs would be completed by May 25.
“Failure to correct these violations will result in the Northern Kentucky Health Department taking action against your facility that will result in the suspension or revocation of your permit to operate,” the letter stated.
The plan was submitted, but the report from a subsequent inspection on May 26, indicated 12 violations, including seven that were deemed critical, had not been corrected.
That report also indicated the Florence Fire Department had placed the property owner on notice for several violations, including not having the buildings evaluated by a structural engineer. The City’s public services department also identified code violations at the property.
Based upon those results, the Health Department issued an enforcement notice with the intent to suspend the facility’s operating permit.
S&J Hospitality Group requested, and was granted, a conference, which took place June 25 and put the suspension of the operating permit on hold.
A letter from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services outlining the findings of that conference, which was dated July 7, indicated the owner stated it would take two months to bring the property into compliance.
The Northern Kentucky District Health Department, and the Florence Fire/EMS and Public Services departments were instructed to perform follow-up inspections in the interim.
“If at that time, the hotel is not in substantial compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, the permit is to be suspended,” the letter stated.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department conducted the inspection Wednesday, almost exactly two months after the July 7 letter. While the formal inspection report has not been released Health Department officials have clearly determined the owner did not meet the obligations and suspended the hotel’s permit to operate.
While Kadaba could apply to have the permit reinstated, the list of serious violations and the cost to repair them makes that unlikely. He would also have to bring the property into compliance with Florence Fire/EMS and the City’s Code Enforcement Board regulations.
While the future of the property is unclear, if the owner is unable to make the necessary repairs and it is deemed unsafe and a health hazard, it could be demolished.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com