Warsaw Building Inspector Robert Hurford, right, holds up a letter mailed to Rajesh Patel and returned unread, while Hearing Commisioner Tom Earhart listens.

Text and Photos
By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Code Enforcement has given the Economy Inn owner 60 days to make the hotel ready for occupancy.

During Warsaw Code Enforcement’s Tuesday, April 2, meeting, the board heard from Rajesh Patel, the owner of Shivpal LLC, about the Economy Inn, located at 3521 Lake City Highway.

“This case has been in code hearing for (several) years now,” said Building Inspector Robert Hurford. Hurford shared that during the last meeting, Hearing Office Tom Earhart had recommended placing the building into receivership.

“Progress was supposed to be completed in December, and here we are,” said Hurford. He reported that work at the Economy Inn and communication had slowed. Hurford said that Building Commissioner Ray Behling had reached out to Patel and that several certified letters had been sent to Patel’s home address and returned.

A list of 16 items were sent in an email to Patel to be completed. Hurford said that the only item completed was painting lines in the parking lot.

“This been a blight on the city for a very long time,” said Hurford, who requested a $5,000 fine and that the case be continued to the next code hearing meeting.

Patel said he is working to remove a paving machine left by a contractor. He also said he needs 60 days, until May 14, the next code hearing, to complete the work. Patel said work is ongoing and he only received the list of 16 items three days ago.

“It’s a little slow work, but its getting done,” Patel said. He also reported that work is being done inside the rooms.

Patel said he was not sure why mail was not being delivered to his home address, which he confirmed was correct on file. He said he would check with his postal delivery service to determine why he was not receiving the Code Enforcement’s letters.

Earhart instructed Patel to provide the city of Warsaw a work schedule, to act as a benchmark on progress, which Patel agreed to. Earhart gave Patel one week to turn in a work schedule and 10 days to provide a financial statement, to “clear up doubt in people’s minds,” of being able to finish the project. Patel reported that financing was not an issue.

Earhart said work at the Economy Inn, including the recommended list and inspections, needs to be done by May 14, or “done, finished, ready to move into.”

Earhart also gave Patel a $1,000 fine, which must be paid by May 14, with the goal to wrap up the case by the next code hearing meeting. Earhart also said he would ask the city’s attorney to withhold proceedings for receivership pending completion of the Economy Inn.

Other matters for the Warsaw Code Enforcement hearing docket were:

• The Katrina VanNess case for the property at 1310 E. Clark St., was dismissed. Hurford reported the pet grooming equipment had been removed.
• Heard an update from Norman and Raquel Hoyt regarding the property at 104 E. Prairie St. The Hoyts reported they expected to have the siding finished by April 2, but had been delayed due to rain. Earhart granted an extension request to Friday, April 5. Hurford clarified the case would stay on the docket until the house was remodeled, because the case was brought forward with a previous complaint. The Hoyts have a permit to remodel the inside of the house.
• Heard an update from Cathy Jo Wade for the case at 815 East Clark Street. Wade reported she had started a new job and was having trouble scheduling an inspection. Hurford agreed to visit her house to inspect April 2 following the meeting.

The next code enforcement meeting will be 10 a.m. May 14 at Warsaw City Hall.