Things are heating up in the discussion of the renovation of the Hacienda Hotel. On Monday, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the 2014 budget which includes $1 million for the Hacienda’s renovation. It is not clear what strings that will attach to the Hacienda project, but that didn’t stop City Council from voting to rank potential developers who have indicated interest in the project.

Alex Snitker voiced objection to the project in general at Tuesday’s meeting. “When it comes to the Hacienda, this discussion shouldn’t be happening,” he said. “As I understand it you are paying upwards of $10,000 a month and not even paying off principal, just interest. It’s kind of a drag on the City.” In response, Councilman Jeff Starkey suggested that not all the current council members were “present when the Hacienda was purchased.” He suggested that they were working to fix the situation.

Councilman Bill Phillips said that things were in the preliminary stages. “I don’t know right now whether Abraham Rosner wants to buy the Hacienda, lease it, or rent it.” Later in the meeting, Mr. Iezzoni said, “They want to buy the building.” Councilman Chopper Davis added that the city should “open the doors and let them in and let’s get going.” Councilwoman Judy DeBella Thomas made a motion and it passed unanimously.

At the recommendation of Mario Iezzoni, New Port Richey’s Economic Development Director, the Council voted unanimously to disqualify Legacy Lodgings, Inc. of Montgomery, Alabama and rank the sole remaining developer as “number one.” This decision will allow city staff to move forward with an economic evaluation of the project and the company’s financials. That company is Florida Motel, Inc. owned by Abraham Rosner. Florida Motel, Inc. owns one other hotel in Yulee, Florida. NewsPortRichey wrote an article looking into that property and Florida Motel, Inc. last week. That hotel was formerly a Days Inn purchased by Mr. Rosner in 2012 and renovated.

In new documents and permits obtained by NewsPortRichey as part of an investigation into Florida Motel, Inc., further issues have arisen. Among them include Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants inspections which show that the hotel is only operating 23 units, rather than the 100 suggested by Mr. Rosner in his early proposal to the City. Also in inspection documents are indications of sewer troubles at the Florida Motel Inc.’s “Florida Hotel” in Yulee, including a non-functioning water treatment facility that is shared with a neighboring hotel which is used for sewage treatment in place of a septic system. The inspection cites the need for Mr. Rosner to have contacted the Nassau County Department of Health Environmental Health office for a permit to repair or replace the system, which was never requested. NewsPortRichey spoke with officials in that department and learned that no permit had been applied for, but that final discretion rests with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). NewsPortRichey left voicemails with FDEP two staff members. The complaint is listed as “High Priority.” Other complaints were found with less of a priority including foul odors in bathrooms, lack of proper fire exit signs, bad mattresses, and lack of housekeeping. No further inspections have been carried out yet in 2014.

The hotel in Yulee was also issued two “stop work orders” by the Nassau County Building Department in 2013, the first for work on the hotel’s pool without a permit and the second for hot water pipes. No additional permits are on file for those repairs meaning either that the repairs were not completed or that they were completed without a permit.

Also found in the investigation was the lack of a food permit for the Florida Hotel despite the hotel offering free breakfasts for its guests. If that is the case only sealed, pre-packaged items could be offered by the hotel to guests.

All of these documents corroborate information found in our previous article such as complaints from hotel guests about a lack of running water.

NewsPortRichey has brought these documents to the attention of City officials prior to the June 3rd Council meeting at which the above vote took place. If you wish to receive a copy of these documents, please contact us.

By Jon Tietz