Red Rock Inn residents relocated while inspections, repairs happen

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Monday evening, members of the Plymouth City Council were updated on the residents of the Red Rock Inn who had to move out of the second-floor motel rooms due to safety issues.

Barb Holcomb from Link-to-Hope updated the council, saying that all the residents who needed housing have been taken care of for one week. Twenty-six adults and four children have been assisted through various solutions. Holcomb said that because of the influx of migrant workers, housing options were limited, and they had to look outside the county for accommodations. The Rochester Quality Inn is housing nine people in seven rooms, and six people have moved in with folks who live on the lower level of the Red Rock Inn for the time being. Five people have moved to the Days Inn, and two are paying for their own rooms. Sister Connie is covering the costs of three people in two rooms, with assistance from the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. One individual that works in South Bend will relocate to a motel up north to be closer to work while five individuals and four children are staying with friends.

Holcomb said Mr. Patel, the owner of the Red Rock from New Jersey, is paying for the motel rooms in Rochester and South Bend. She also said these 30 people will be in secure and safe housing for at least a week. Holcomb said they work a week at a time because people’s lives change, and the assisting agencies don’t want to lose any money paying too far ahead.

This Order to Vacate the second story of the Red Rock Inn was initiated after Plymouth Building Inspector Dennis Manuwal was notified that an emergency responder had responded to a call on the second story of the motel. While there, they tripped and fell against the railing, which gave way. That accidental trip could have been a catastrophe if the emergency responder had fallen to the ground.

City Councilman Randy Longanecker asked Manuwal if it is safe for people to be walking under the balconies and stairways. He said that is why he has requested a structural engineer to look at the situation. Manuwal said some significant issues need to be looked at, and he doesn’t feel qualified to make that determination.