Executive Inn Appeal

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -      A new legal filing puts the brakes on a plan to tear down a troubled hotel in southern Indiana.

     The city of Vincennes and the owners of the Executive Inn have been battling over the future of the hotel for the last 4 years.

     That fight was prolonged when the owners took their case to a higher court.

     The Executive Inn is both closed and condemned.

     Vincennes has been battling with the Valdes family for years over it.

     The city even had won a court case clearing the way to tear it down.

     Now, that plan is on hold because the attorney's for the Executive Inn have taken their case to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

     "I can't say that I'm surprised or that this was an unexpected maneuver," said Vincennes City Attorney Dave Roellgen.  "This is what lawsuits are made of."

     The city of Vincennes had taken bids from contractors and was ready to tear the old Executive Inn down, but this appeal now means that nothing will happen at least until next year.

     "I would be amazed if there is a ruling in the next 7 or 8 months," said Roellgen.

     Vincennes officials had hoped that they would finally be able to take care of this problem building on its doorstep this spring.

     "It's a disappointment," said Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum, "but it's also..we just have to go through the process and move along as quick as we can."

     That time table though will be framed by the courts in Indianapolis leaving Vincennes with an on going problem that they so far, can't get rid of.

     Even if the owners win their case to stop the demolition they will be no closer to re-opening the hotel.

     The Indiana Office of Homeland Security has cited the Executive Inn for numerous health and safety violations and has ordered it remain closed.