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South-side motel owners, residents seek county help after tornado damage
Summary
Owners of the Economy Inn and several residents described storm damage that displaced more than 20 people and asked Monroe County officials for help reopening units and accessing grants or loans to repair property.
Jay Patel, owner of the Economy Inn on Bloomington’s south side, told the Monroe County Council on Tuesday that a May 16 tornado destroyed much of his property and displaced more than 20 residents.
“We are doing our best to recover, but cannot do it alone,” Patel said during the council’s public comment period. He asked the council for help to “quickly reappoint part reopen parts of the motel” and for “assistance through grants and loans” to repair damaged buildings so displaced residents can return to housing.
Patel’s daughter, Daveen Patel, also spoke, telling the council the family has provided housing in Bloomington for decades and appealed for county support to “open the motel, and continue serving the community.”
Tammy Bridal Cassidy, who leases the damaged Clear Creek-area post office building, told the council that rebuilding will require hiring engineers and architects and will create additional recovery costs for property owners in the storm’s path.
Council members acknowledged the public comments and expressed appreciation for emergency and township response. Council President (Councilor) said staff and departments — including highway and emergency management — have been heavily engaged in cleanup work and will continue to coordinate recovery efforts.
No formal county appropriation or recovery program was approved during Tuesday’s meeting in direct response to these public comments. Council members and staff directed residents to coordinate with township trustees, the county’s emergency management office and the auditor’s office for information about available assistance and to follow up on potential grant or loan avenues.
The council’s packet for the May 27 meeting also noted changes in agenda items after auditors requested additional reconciliation for a separate health-department appropriation; that budget item was tabled so auditors and department staff could resolve grant accounting questions before returning to the council.
