A May 1 fire at the long-shuttered former Ramada Inn in Waukegan — and the buildings’ continued habitation by squatters, despite a fence surrounding the property — raised the ire of a Lake County judge considering what should be done with the abandoned hotel.
At a Lake County Court hearing Friday, Judge Daniel Jasica rejected a claim from a lawyer for building owners M.A.S.S. Holdings and Heritage Capital that the fire was the first problem at the site since the fence was installed in November.
“That’s like saying other than President Lincoln being shot, the play at Ford’s Theater was a rousing success,” the judge said.
Jasica said he was leaning toward giving the owners 10 days to arrange 24-hour security for the property or agree to demolish it.
After two men were found shot dead there on Oct. 28, the city of Waukegan filed suit seeking demolition of the hotel buildings, according to court documents. Though Jasica stopped short then of ordering demolition, he required that the fence be installed bordering the site.
Current and former city officials say that over the years, the abandoned buildings with fully furnished hotel rooms — including beds — have become a refuge for squatters and drug dealers.
Waukegan Deputy Fire Chief Brett Stickles said it took help from five other departments to put out the recent fire, which authorities believe was intentionally set. A firefighter was injured battling the blaze.
People continue to find their way into the buildings and take up residence, he said.
“They climb over the fence, and pry the boards off the windows,” Stickles said Thursday. “They’re getting in through air conditioning ducts. It’s been happening continually.”
Marcus Martinez, an attorney with Waukegan corporation counsel Elrod Friedman, said in court it was time for stricter security measures. He asked the court to order 24-hour security and require that all furnishings be removed from the premises.
“A blanket caught fire and it spread,” Martinez said. “There are boards over the windows, but people are prying them off.”
Anthony Ochs, an attorney for the owners, said they remain in contact with the city, giving officials regular updates on a potential sale of the property. He said the owners realize it will take a special buyer because of the development’s condition.
Ochs said his clients anticipate a non-binding letter of intent soon from a serious purchaser. If the offer does not materialize, the owners are willing to accede to the city’s demands, he said.
“We have one serious buyer for the building,” Ochs said. “If we don’t get the (letter), we’ll voluntarily demolish the building.”
Setting a hearing for 9 a.m. Tuesday in Waukegan to give the owners time to find out the cost of 24-hour security and demolition, Jasica made it clear his 10-day window for action opened Friday. If a time limit is put in place Tuesday, it will likely be six days, he said.
As long as people can find ways to get into the buildings — the fire damaged only one of the five structures — Stickles said searching for potential victims of any future fires would be more involved than at any other abandoned structure.
“If we think there’s someone there, we will do a search for life,” he said. “This increases the danger for firefighters.”
Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said it is time for the buildings to come down. It has been a problem for the city and its residents for too long, she said. She just wants to see vacant property there prepared for development.
“I don’t care if they demolish it, or we have to exercise our rights to demolish it,” Taylor said. “We want to know their plans.”
