Hotel Closer to Demolition

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -      A southern Indiana city wins a legal battle over a troubled hotel.

     Knox Circuit Court Judge Sherry Gregg-Gilmore has ruled in favor of the city of Vincennes in its effort to demolish the old Executive Inn.

     Now that the legal hurdle has been cleared city officials are moving quickly to try and get the building down.

     The Vincennes Executive Inn sits vacant.

     The old hotel has been tied up in a prolonged court fight between the owners and the City's Building and Safety Commission which wants it torn down.

     Now Judge Sherry Gregg-Gilmore has ruled in the case.

     "After she reviewed the various pleadings that we had she agreed the Executive Inn should be demolished," said Vincennes City Attorney David Roellgen.

     The city and the hotel's owners have been at odds since 2007.

  The hotel has been the subject of lawsuits and hearings, but this latest court decision appears to mean that the future of this building lies with the wrecking ball.

     "I think that's the green light to move forward with demolition which would require soliciting new bids for demolition so that it's done as quickly as possible,"
said Roellgen.

     Even though the process could be slowed by an appeal, Vincennes officials have called a special meeting for Wednesday to begin the bidding process.

     After that will come a potentially bigger issue, paying for the work.

     "I think this has the support of the community to move forward so that dangerous building can be removed," explained Roellgen. "and I think money can be found to take care of it."

     Just how much money it will take to demolish the hotel will be determined in the next 30 to 60 days.
      
     The Vincennes Board of Works will meet in special session at noon on Wednesday at City Hall.