Plymouth Board of Public Works & Safety affirm Order to Take Action

Monday evening, October 27, following an evidentiary hearing by the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety, members determined to uphold the Building Commissioner’s Order to Take Action on the Red Rock Inn. 

The hearing on Plymouth's low-income residential motel, located on the north entrance to the city, has been an ongoing issue over the years.  In June, the city ordered the second-floor rooms to be evacuated due to structural issues with the stairs, railings, and balcony.

On October 17^th, after a complaint, the Indiana Fire Marshall, County Health Department, and Plymouth Building Commissioner inspected the motel.  They found many issues in the first-floor rooms, including live and dead roaches, fire hazards, plumbing and electrical violations, water damage, mold, and a concern for the living conditions of those in the motel. 

Nilesh Patel, the New Jersey owner of the Red Rock Inn, attended the hearing in person.  After listening to the evidence presented by the Building Commissioner, he said, “I agree with them. I am trying to sell the property.”

After seeing dozens of pictures from various first-floor rooms, Plymouth City Councilman Dave Morrow told Patel, “I don’t think it’s able to be rehabilitated.”

Patel asked the Board of Public Works and Safety for a two to three-month extension so that he could complete the sale of the property.  He wanted to have the manager or maintenance person on site occasionally to make sure the vacant property was maintained.  He also said he would be willing to put a fence up and signage to keep people from trespassing or vandalizing the property. 

While Patel has verbally accepted an offer for the property, the prospective buyer was in attendance but not allowed to speak because there is no signed purchase agreement in place. 

Following the hearing, the Board of Public Works and Safety was asked to determine if the evidence presented showed violations of Plymouth and or Indiana code. 

Board member Dave Morrow made a motion to affirm the Building Commissioner’s order, and his motion was seconded by Duane Culp.  The four members present, Mayor Listenberger was absent from the meeting, unanimously affirmed the city’s current action to have the motel vacated by this Friday, October 31^st.