By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
The troubled Florence Inn on Dream Street has a date with the wrecking ball.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department suspended the motel’s permit to operate Sept. 9, after the property was determined to be a health hazard and unsafe for habitation. Five days later, the last residents left the property and the inn has remained vacant ever since.
Owner Sridar Kadaba put the property up for sale after the Florence Code Enforcement Board issued a demolition order in October, and attempted to make some of the necessary repairs. Not surprisingly, there have been no takers and the property is still nowhere near compliance.
Florence City Coordinator Richard Lunnemann said demolition could begin as soon as March 1.
“The Code Board decision of October 8 provided the property owner 45 days to make all repairs required in, on and around the buildings, or to demolish all of the buildings and remove all debris from the site,” Lunnemann said. “Part of that 45 day period included a 30 day period when the property owner could appeal the code board decision in Boone County Circuit Court.”
The city was also obligated to notify all lienholders on the property of the impending action during a concurrent 45 day period, which it did.
Kadaba’s attorneys filed an appeal in November, but later withdrew the action, which was dismissed on Dec. 28.
“The 45 day period that he had to either remedy all violations or tear the buildings down has expired,” Lunnemann said. “The appeal is gone, the 45 days are up, so at this point, he’s out of options.
City officials say the Florence Inn, which is located at 8049 Dream Street, suffered from years of deferred maintenance and nearby business owners complained that it attracted an undesirable element. Instead of being used as an overnight-stay motel, the business transitioned to a residential facility for those who were unable to pass a background or credit check for a traditional apartment.
At the time it was shut down, only about 15 of the estimated 101 rooms in use were occupied by overnight guests. The others housed weekly or monthly tenants, many of whom lived in substandard conditions, and paid about $700 per month.
“It’s always been the City’s desire to protect the public health, safety and welfare of our citizens and complete repair of all violations and issues on the property was necessary in order to do that,” Lunnemann said. “Failing to do that, demolition is the alternative. The health and safety of our residents and visitors is paramount.”
The process that ultimately led to an order of demolition began ten months ago, on April 2, when Kadaba was given six weeks to submit a plan of action to repair 20 violations, 14 of which were considered critical, at the property
These included rodent droppings in unoccupied rooms, bedbugs, exposed wiring throughout unoccupied rooms and floors sagging and unable to support weight. The Florence Fire Department had also placed the property owner on notice for several violations, including an inability to verify the structural integrity of the buildings.
A series of subsequent inspections and hearings, outlined here, left the inn well below compliance, and led to the revocation of the operating permit and ultimately the October demolition order.
The Boone County Property Valuation Administrator lists the estimated value of the Florence Inn at $1.38 million. Kadaba originally asked $1.65 million for the property, but that has recently been reduced to $1.49 million.
Gary Fisher of Equity , the real estate firm that is listing the property, said that despite the troubled past of the Florence Inn, the property would be a good investment for someone looking to repurpose the land. An adjacent parcel that previously housed a day care has also recently been listed for sale.
“They’re both good opportunities, together or separately,” Fisher said in an email. “Five acres along the interstate with existing pylon signs is rare, and Dream Street is booming .”
At the beginning of January, the City of Florence developed a plan to advertise and reviewing bids for the demolition of the five Florence Inn buildings.
“The first step in that process occurred on January 19, when the city’s consultant, Thelen Associates, were onsite to do the environmental assessment, which is a required component of demolition,” Lunnemann said. “The environmental assessment will be a part of the bid specifications that we have when we bid out the demolition of the buildings on the property.”
A legal advertisement is scheduled to appear in local news publications Feb.4, and bid specifications will be available to be picked up from the City of Florence, on that day. Bids will be due on Feb. 18.
After the bids are opened, they will be evaluated and the contract will be awarded to the lowest and most responsible applicant. Once the bid is awarded, demolition can begin any time after March 1.
Lunnemann said the Florence City Council has been kept apprised of the events leading up to the request for bid proposals, but no further action is required from that body for demolition to commence.
The City of Florence will foot the bill for the demolition, but will become the first-priority lienholder and will be reimbursed when the property is sold.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com