NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A motel on Music Valley Drive is closed and dozens of tenants are
without a place to live after the Metro Public Health Department
revoked the motel's operating permit after finding dozens of critical
violations over the course of several months.
"This probably was a worse case scenario from what our inspectors were
finding," Metro Health Department spokesperson Brian Todd said of the
violations found at Countryside Lodge.
Since August, Todd told Nashville's News 2 health inspectors have
visited the property five separate times, documenting dozens of
violations ranging from broken smoke detectors to asbestos and mold in
rooms.
In one of the pictures taken by an inspector, mold is growing so thick
in the hotel room it looks like wall paper.
"When you're living in an area clearly with asbestos issues, mold
issues and sanitary issues," Todd continued, "It's a very dangerous
situation."
Ken Roth was living in the motel and had been working there, along
with several other people, since August.
Roth told Nashville's News 2 he complained to management about
unsanitary conditions numerous times.
"The worse stuff is grass growing out of the carpet," Roth said.
"Instead of the walls looking painted, they're black, covered in
mold. It smells so bad, musty and mildewy."
Even without going in the building, it's easy to spot the mold from
the outside on the curtains drawn across the windows.
Roth told Nashville's News 2 even worse than having to live in a place
that could make you sick, is getting practically zero notice from
management they would have to move out.
"It left me and four other people homeless, and well over 30 people
with children had to find someplace else within a few hours," Roth
said. "It really put a lot of hardship on a lot of people."
The owner of the property has until October 10 to appeal the permit
revocation, but so far, Todd said they haven't heard anything.
If no appeal is filed by October 10, the hotel establishment permit
for the site will be revoked, without opportunity for appeal.
Metro's health department isn't the only county agency dealing with
the motel.
According to Metro tax records, the owner also owes several thousand
dollars in back taxes.
Officials with the Nashville Electric Service told Nashville's News 2
electricity was cut off this week, because the owner owes them over
$11,000.
Nashville's News 2 was unable to reach the property manager or the
motel owner for comment.
