City officials to Days Inn owners: Damaged motel is coming down
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on April 4, 2008 1:46 PM
Days Inn owners are less than 30 days away from having to choose a contractor to tear down the wind-damaged structure, city officials say.
Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra said he has finalized a bid package for demolition of the motel, which was officially condemned in February. The motel was severely damaged in a windstorm last August.
Cianfarra said he expects the demolition bid process to be completed by April 23.
Then, the owner of the motel -- Daley Investments -- can either choose a bid from among those that the city or the company has received.
"The owner does have the right at the last minute to choose his own contractor," Cianfarra said.
But Cianfarra expects Mark Daley III, president of Daley Investments, to use the cheapest possible bid, which Cianfarra said he doesn't believe the city will get.
One step Cianfarra said the demolition contractor doesn't have to worry about is asbestos abatement. Daley had all of the asbestos removed years ago.
The chief building inspector said the bids will likely come in between $60,000 and $100,000.
"Once we have the bid, then we have to add in administrative fees and all that," he said. "Usually, the city doesn't get the lowest bid."
It doesn't matter which contractor Daley chooses, but the motel demolition must be completed within 60 days after the bid has been chosen.
"I'm not waiting," he said. "The city has been extremely patient in this matter."
The problem hasn't been with Daley, he added. It has been with Daley's insurance company, which hasn't yet made a decision on whether the building should be renovated or torn down.
Cianfarra is fed up and ready to move on.
"The debate has been over money, but I can't wait," he said. "The citizens of Goldsboro don't deserve to have that sitting there any longer."
So, those driving Wayne Memorial Drive, or even U.S. Highway 70, in the middle of June will no longer see the Days Inn.
"It will not be there this summer," Cianfarra said. "People can still be proud of the city. When people are traveling to the beach, they won't see the Days Inn anymore."