Downtown inn owners urge village to address dilapidated building next door

Roxy Patterson, who identified herself as owner of the Saint Croix Valley Inn at 305 River Street, told the Osceola Village Board that a long‑vacant hospital building next to the inn has become dilapidated and is harming her business.

“Guests fear for their safety and the safety of their vehicles,” Patterson said, noting the inn hosted roughly 1,550 guests this year and that recent online reviews have warned potential visitors about the condition of the neighboring property. She said the inn has been restored after purchase four years ago and that the adjacent site’s appearance has begun to deter customers and reduce sales.

Her husband, Tim Patterson, said they have repeatedly reported vandalism and trespassing to police and reviewed village code provisions for public nuisances, reading sections that define dilapidated buildings as dangerous, unsafe or otherwise unfit for human use. “In our opinion this property does meet the requirements of this statute and should be taken action upon,” he said, and invited trustees to inspect the property.

Village staff thanked the Pattersons for raising the concern and noted staff will follow up on enforcement options. Administrator Devin said staff will check the relevant code chapters and coordinate with the police and building officials on next steps; trustees heard the public comment during the meeting’s public‑input period but did not take immediate enforcement action at the meeting.

Why it matters: the inn’s operators said the deteriorating property is a downtown eyesore that can reduce visitor spending at local shops and restaurants and may pose safety risks; enforcement or remediation would affect the property owner and potentially require staff time and budgeted code‑enforcement resources.

What’s next: staff invited the Pattersons to provide photos and to host trustees or staff for an on‑site walk‑through; the board did not vote on a formal enforcement action during the meeting.