HOLLAND (WHTC) – The Economy Inn on U.S. 31 in Holland will stay closed for the time being, even though its owners have made efforts to address violations that led to its shutdown earlier this summer. The City Council Wednesday deadlocked at 4-4 on whether to issue a lodging license to the establishment, formerly known as the Blue Mill Inn. The city had pulled the license in June over repeated building code violations. Interim Community and Neighborhood Services Director Joel Dye says the inn’s owner has since fixed the plumbing, cleaned up the rooms and installed security cameras. Councilman Mike Trethewey says the problems should have been addressed sooner.
“We gave you one chance. I told your attorney the first time you embarrassed us, and there would be no tolerance,” Trethewey said, directing his comments at owner Hemant Patel.
Councilwoman Nancy DeBoer, who sided with Trethewey on pulling the lodging license in June, voted for reinstatement. “I think the motel did learn from their second chance, and I think they did fulfill what they were asked to do,” DeBoer said.
By city charter, a tie vote is equivalent to rejection. Voting to keep the inn shut down were Trethewey, Brian Burch, Todd Whiteman and Wayne Klomparens. Mayor Bob Vande Vusse and council members Dave Hoekstra and Jay Peters joined DeBoer in favoring approval of the license.
