The Days Inn
Timeline on the Days Inn
The Days Inn next to the Love’s Truck stop on Hwy 76 has had ongoing issues. Mayor Corbitt spent a majority of his police ride along fielding calls from the Days Inn. Here is what the planning department has been doing regarding the property.
January 26th, 2023- First notice was hand delivered to Mr. Patel at the Days Inn following an inspection. Jenna Nelms of planning and codes went with Jimmy Johnson during the fire inspection. Not only were code violations seen from the exterior but the interior also had many violations. Public works also found violations. Patel was given 14 days to comply.
February 14th, 2023- Days Inn was given a final letter of clarification. The inspectors had gone back 14 days after the first letter was delivered and found that the repairs had NOT been made. The city gave the owners more time to complete repairs as the maintenance man was confused as to what needed to be accomplished. The February 14th letter made it very clear as to what needed to be done. See letter below. The vacant rooms hosted mattresses, furniture, and gas cans.
Februrary 28th, 2023- Time had expired and the city requested legal advice. The city was counseled to cite Patel with the courts. Given that there were people still living in the hotel in the winter, the city could not order it to be vacated without a potential disaster. The city filed with the courts.
March 14th, 2023- This was the first court dated cited. Mr. Patel hired attorney Rob Wheeler. The court date was pushed back to April.
April, May 2023- April saw the city in court and a mandatory Zoom meeting in May. The judge had shown lenincy to the property owner, but a vacate order was issued. The Patels appealed to Robertson County and at that point the city could no longer do anything.
This plan was finally put in place after the state became involved over the summer. The state completed inspections and issued this POCA. At the end of September, the city joined the state inspectors for a final walk through to make sure the building was empty. Mr. Patel and his new attorney Garth Click assured the city it would be vacant. There were still five rooms occupied with people refusing to leave. The state asked Robertson County Sheriff’s Department to get involved with the eviction.
As of October 10th, Patel has dismissed his appeal with Robertson County. That voluntary dismissal allows Judge Zanger’s order to vacate to be reinstated. The city can now enforce the order to vacate. The city’s police department will be evicting the remaining residents and officially locking up the building. The property is under contract to be sold.
Tomorrow I will be attending the State of the City address at City Hall given by City Administrator Herman. If you are finding my updates useful, consider a paid subscription.