Wyoming authorizes building official to start demolition process for unsafe motel at 26237 Forest Boulevard

The Wyoming City Council on July 21 authorized the city—s building official to begin the formal process to remove an unsafe structure at 26237 Forest Boulevard, known in the discussion as the Wyoming Motel, after inspections found flooded basements, electrical hazards, inoperable smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and visible mold.

Building Official Garrett Weck described the unit conditions he observed following a March medical response and subsequent inspection. "The basement's flooded... the electrical the fuses are blowing in the unit, so they're running cords out of the yard up into the hallway to plug into outlets out there," Weck said. He added that "there were no smoke detectors operable. No carbon monoxide detectors operable" and that mold and mildew were visible in the photos provided to council.

Weck said staff contacted the property owner (who is out of the country) and requested a remediation timeline; the owner responded that she was getting bids and did not provide a firm completion date. Weck said he asked for a timeline and received no definitive commitment, and therefore recommended the city begin the process to have the building razed and to remove accessory structures if needed.

Council members asked questions about hazardous materials and cost recovery. Weck said the debris appeared to be primarily household items but that the city would require an asbestos assessment before demolition to identify any hazardous materials. He said the cost-recovery process is similar to the city—s street assessment process and noted a statutory fee process for charging costs back to the property owner.

Mayor Iverson moved to authorize the building official to start the demolition/removal process under the city order procedure and to pursue the formal order (Resolution 260785); Member Schilling seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. City Administrator Linwood noted staff will provide notice to the property owner and allow the owner an opportunity to appear before council, and that a more formal draft resolution is available for a subsequent meeting.

What happens next: staff will issue required notices to the property owner, conduct required environmental assessments (including asbestos), and proceed with the removal process if the owner does not remediate the property within the allowed notice period. The council approved beginning the formal process on July 21.