Why Midland's Best Western, Days Inn were condemned and what's next - Midland Daily News
Best Western and Days Inn hotels at Valley Plaza, 5217 and 5221 Bay City Road, have been condemned by the City of Midland.
An Aug. 25 letter from City of Midland Chief Building Official Steve Taglauer to hotel owner Bhavin P. Patel of SUBH Hospitality, Inc., and LABH Hospitality, Inc., was provided to the Daily News by the City Attorney's office.
The letter informed Patel that the buildings would be condemned as of 8 a.m. Aug. 26.
The letter detailed a long list of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building, fire, and water distribution issues that must be resolved before the hotels can be reopened. It also said that the letter is not intended to be an "exhaustive list of deficient items."
City of Midland Building Department and the Midland Fire Department conducted an inspection of the two properties on Aug. 11 in response to "complaints by private citizens" about the condition of the Best Western.
City Attorney Jim Branson told the Daily News that all the issues listed in the letter must be fixed in order for the buildings to be allowed to reopen.
"If repairs are not made in a timely fashion, there can be civil or criminal penalties against the owner," Branson said, noting that such charges were brought against the owner of the former Holiday Inn that was torn down earlier this year at the corner of Wackely and Eastman.
Best Western, a part of Valley Plaza Resort on Bay City Road in Midland, was condemned by the City of Midland Building Department on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Victoria Ritter/Midland Daily NewsBranson noted the Four Seasons RV Park, located behind the two hotels and also owned by Patel, was also condemned by the City of Midland earlier this summer.
Branson emphasized that the nearby Great Hall and Valley Lanes are owned by a different ownership group and are still open.
Days Inn, a part of Valley Plaza Resort on Bay City Road in Midland, was condemned by the City of Midland Building Department on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Victoria Ritter/Midland Daily NewsThe absence of the Best Western and Days Inn would leave a significant void in Midland's lodging options. They had provided lodging for many events held only a two-minute drive away at the Midland Civic Arena, which was built in 2005. This included multiple hockey tournaments held each year, such as Silver Stick tournaments; and figure skating and speed skating competitions.
Best Western and Days Inn are also adjacent to the Great Hall, which hosts numerous conventions, reunions, banquets and other events that necessitate lodging for out-of-town visitors.
The two-story Best Western has two pools, among other amenities.
Issues in condemnation letter
The letter specified four electrical issues. An electrical panel in the pool pump room is very rusty and still energized; in multiple mechanical rooms, wiring for lights is not protected and hanging; multiple junction boxes in the old kitchen are open and the wires are cut off and hanging; and the fire alarm control panel by the main reception area is not functioning.
Three mechanical issues were specified. The boiler room floor has standing water; uncapped gas lines in the kitchen on the second floor need to be capped; and the open vent piping in the mechanical room near the reception desk needs to be capped.
Four plumbing issues were listed. The required drinking fountain is out of order; the laundry sink drain is leaking and needs to be fixed; unpermitted water distribution piping is installed in the hallway; and the annular space between the PEX tubing and the brick needs to be sealed.
Fire issues include numerous violations of the International Fire Code, and there are threats to public health and the public water system due to known cross contamination and underground leaks, the letter said.
Why Midland's Best Western, Days Inn were condemned and what's next - Midland Daily News
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