WARREN Board orders motel demolished

The property owner can challenge the order in court.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The owner of Imperial Motel has 30 days to demolish the dilapidated structure.
The city board of health approved an emergency measure Wednesday ordering the demolition of the motel, 415 E. Market St. The owner, Atty. Donald L. Guarnieri, didn't attend the meeting and couldn't be reached.
Mayor Hank Angelo said Guarnieri's absence from the health board meeting shows his disdain for the board's action.
"I commend this board because you took a giant step for the citizens of Warren," he said.
Guarnieri can challenge the order in court. Last week, city officials posted the property as condemned.
"The place is in deplorable condition," said Robert Pinti, deputy health commissioner.
The building isn't structurally sound, he said. He questioned the structural integrity of steps leading to the motel's balconies and referred to entrances that are boarded up as safety hazards if a fire were to break out.
"It's a death trap," Pinti said.
Next step
He said the order for demolition would be delivered to Guarnieri's office by early next week.
If the building isn't demolished in 30 days, the city must decide whether to demolish the building and make the owner pay the cost.
Angelo pointed out that the city has no problems with other members of the Guarnieri family, who own well-maintained businesses and other property in the city.
The building has been in bad shape for many years and initially was shut down when residents complained it was a haven for prostitution.
City building, health and fire inspectors were able to get into the building last week when a break-in was reported. They found evidence that people had been living in the motel, and it was condemned.
The condemnation referred to its being unfit for human habitation.
Guarnieri has several other properties in the city through business partnerships. A demolition order of a West Park Avenue house he owns has been in court for more than a year.