Credit: Journal News
Properties not in compliance with the city’s ordinance, on the books since 2019, include the Manchester Inn and Sonshine building, both of which are owned by the city.
Standards set in city ordinance include:
- Buildings must be weather tight and secure from trespassers;
- Provide safe entry to police officers and firefighters in times of emergency;
- Have no impediment on private and/or public efforts to rehabilitate or maintain surrounding buildings; and
- Will not otherwise present a public hazard.
Councilmembers have expressed worry about trespassers and threats to first responders at The Manchester Inn and Sonshine building; a fence was installed around The Manchester in April after tiles fell from the roof.
VACANT MIDDLETOWN PROPERTIES
A Journal-News investigation
A Journal-News investigation found Middletown city leaders are not enforcing city ordinances meant to hold owners of downtown vacant properties accountable.
In a May council meeting, Chief Building Officer Larry Tuttle cited issues with the Manchester such as littered rooms, separating brick work, basement black mold, evidence of “dozens and dozens” of fires and an occupancy of homeless and trespassing individuals that they “cannot keep out.”
Fire Captain Frank Baughman said in the same meeting the building is “very unsafe to anybody around it or in it.”
City officials said they had no comment when asked by the Journal-News about why city buildings have not been held to standards set by the city.
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