The Opelika City Council convened for its regular meeting on
Tuesday Oct. 1, 2024. During the meeting, the city council suspended the
business license of the Springwood Hotel, located at 1002 Columbus Parkway in
Opelika, for six months. The business owner, Pravinbhai Patel, must bring his
hotel up to code and pass city building and fire inspections within the next
six months to get his business license reinstated.
The city council first heard appeals during its Sept. 3 meeting
to revoke the hotel’s business license and demolish the property on the grounds
of multiple health and safety violations. At that time, the council gave the
hotel’s owners and managers 30 days to hire an architect and structural
engineer to look into the alleged issues. Oct. 1 marked the end of that 30-day
period.
Alleged issues at the hotel included electrical code
violations, fire code violations, structural violations, sewage under its
floors, plumbing violations, standing water, holes in the flooring, mold, and
bed bugs.
Residents at the hotel were evacuated just a few days after
the Sept 3 meeting. The hotel has since been closed for business. During the
Oct. 1 city council session, Patel’s attorney, Allen Sheehan, said the hotel is
structurally sound and the city council would receive an architectural report
for the property by the middle of the next week.
The city council approved a downtown street closure for Red
Clay Brewing Company for Oct. 17. Red Clay will host a bike night event that
day.
The council also approved a fireworks permit for First
Baptist Church of Opelika for its fall festival on Oct. 27.
A restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on premise
alcohol license was approved for Luv Zone.
A resolution was approved for a demolition cost and removal assessment
of $7,620 for a property located at 1300 Spring Drive in Opelika.
The council approved a contract to provide Habitat for
Humanity with $250,000 for fiscal year 2025. Those funds will go towards
building three new homes in Opelika.
Appointments:
Mayor Gary Fuller appointed Jacob Walker, III to the Opelika
Housing Authority. Walker’s term will end Oct. 18, 2029.
The council reappointed Auzzie Comer to the Board of
Adjustments & Appeals. Comer’s term will end Oct. 1, 2028.
The council also reappointed Tim Moore to the Board of
Adjustments & Appeals. His term will also end Oct. 1, 2028.
The council reappointed Dick Moreman Jr. to the Lee County
Youth Development Center Board. Moreman’s term will end Oct. 1, 2028.