The Knox Board of Works members took action Wednesday morning to put a stop to property owners who are failing to comply with orders to clean up properties.
Several code enforcement violations have been pending for a long time and the board members are affirming penalties that go along with those violations.
One property is the Super Value Inn on Danker Street in Knox. The structure has suffered from environmental and structural issues for several years and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost said efforts have not been made to comply with orders to clean up the property.
Pfost explained that one room has the bathroom door off of the hinges and the rooms are not being taken care of like a hotel should operate as normal room cleaning is not being done on a regular basis.
Pfost stated, “If that was getting done, they would be able to go in the rooms and see what the problems are and get them corrected before it comes to this. It’s just not getting done. He expressed that a lot of people in there are long-term. That establishment is not set up for long-term. It’s a hotel, not an apartment complex.”
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok told the owner to take care of issues there or serious action will be ordered.
“We want that place inspected – every apartment in there once a month from here on out,” commented Estok. “If you don’t start correcting the problem, you’re going to get fine after fine, and lien after lien, and eventually we’re going to condemn the place and close you down.”
Mayor Estok and Pfost both commented that it is understood that people need a place to go, but it needs to be a better environment for those who stay there.
A $2,500 penalty was affirmed for the violations until improvements are made. The board members also asked Pfost to inspect the facility on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the board members agreed that 401 E. Lake Street continues to be a public nuisance. If the property is not cleaned up within the next few months, the city will take further action. Penalties were affirmed for the violations.
Additionally, the board affirmed orders of demolition at 204 W. Bender and 6 N. Pearl Street as efforts have not been made by the property owner to comply with enforcement orders. Penalties were affirmed for the violations.
