Duluth's Seaway Hotel: Condemnation Order Lifted
Posted at: 09/10/2012 3:35 PM
| Updated at: 09/11/2012 12:24 PM
By: Alan Hoglund
ahoglund@wdio.com
On Monday afternoon, the city released a letter from Fire Chief John Strongitharm to the owner of Duluth's Seaway Hotel saying they lifted the order that condemned the building for human habitation.
The condemnation order was posted on a lobby wall inside the building in the early part of July. Then, the city told Eyewitness News that June flooding caused water to leak through the walls, and mold to grow on many floors. The building also has a deteriorated roof.
In July, Strongitharm said "the water that we recently received was the last straw. It has tipped the building over to the point where it's not safe to be in there."
But after seeing reports from building design professionals, stating the building could be occupied while repairs were made, Strongitharm lifted the condemnation order.
Strongitharm told Eyewitness News that the building owner has a plan to repair the damage, and has a priority list of what work needs to be done.
While residents can continue to live in the building while repairs are made, a building front desk clerk says about 40 people left in search of other housing after the condemnation order was posted. That leaves about half the units without residents.
The front desk clerk said "the employees were all aware that the owner would step up to the plate and do what he had to do. He spent many years trying to get this place paid off, finally got it paid off and they hung that condemned sign in the lobby right after he got it paid."
 |
Print Story | | |  |
