Receivership Property Survives California’s Deadliest Wildfire

In the 9 years prior to our appointment, local code enforcement tried to work with the owners of this motel to fix the 203 separate violations of state housing law onsite. There was a complete lack of maintenance of the property, demonstrated by the jet-black water in the swimming pool. The conditions at the motel were so severe that they actually sparked a fire. The fire caused considerable damage to a neighboring property, where it burned out and destroyed a business that had been operating at that location for over 35 years. This case is evidence of the significant danger that violations of municipal and state health and safety laws pose to the surrounding community.

A Historic Run-Down Hotel Becomes A Community Hub

Sadly, ownership changed hands and the property fell into disrepair. Upon our appointment by a Superior Court Judge, we found the 62-room hotel to be very poorly maintained with guests living in extremely unsanitary conditions. Rooms were soiled, some lacked running water, part of the roof was wide open allowing pigeons to roost inside, the hotel was infested with pests, and there were multiple broken windows. The hotel didn’t just lack basic amenities, it was also dangerous. A ceiling had collapsed in the basement, dry rot and exposure to the elements had damaged the structural integrity, there were unpermitted and unsafe modifications to the building, and electrical and plumbing installations were shoddy.

Scene of a Tragedy is Transformed into a Treatment Center Through Receivership

Although we’ve performed major renovations both before and since, this particular scenario made demolition the most feasible option. The continued negligence from the owners plus the comparatively low cost of leveling versus restoring allowed us to give the property a new beginning from the ground up. Once we had cleaned out the property and safely disposed of the hazardous material, we gave the City’s fire department the opportunity to use the property for a practice drill and training exercise, including a controlled burn—a fitting reversal of the property’s initial status as a fire hazard.

Upscale to Unsafe: Once Popular Hotel is Declared A Public Nuisance

A property deteriorated from an upscale establishment into a public nuisance. When the nuisance conditions were finally remedied, space was created for the property's redevelopment. While most would not have anticipated the decline of this once popular and prestigious establishment, the story is familiar to CRG. It shows just how effective health and safety receivership can be at remedying nuisance properties and initiating a ripple effect for revitalization efforts.

Turning Around a Deadly Commercial Property

This liquor store received daily calls for police services to address shootings (one fatal), drug sales, and gang activity. Calls for police services stopped following our appointment due to our swift action to secure the property. Post-receivership the building is providing a much-needed function to the community.

Nuisance Abatement Provides Valuable Training for Southern California Firefighters

Controlled practice burns are good for both the neighborhood and for firefighters, and these particular properties were found by a court to meet the criteria for demolition. This unique approach fits when a variety of factors exist: the nuisance property is not physically and financially salvageable; the nuisance conditions will not jeopardize the safety of firefighters or neighboring properties; and environmental and weather conditions will not spread the fire beyond a controlled area.

Little Value, but a Big Community Issue: Remediating a Blighted, Low-value Motel and Family Home

When the street on which this property is located saw dwindling visitors following the construction of Interstate 5, many businesses in the area closed their doors, abandoning the buildings that housed them. With a building use that has low demand, a property can devolve into nuisance conditions, as happened in this case. See how CRG is making changes through health and safety receivership.

Despite Tragic Past, Property Becomes a Successful Local Business

Although this property was the subject of municipal health and safety code enforcement efforts, the owners were uncooperative with officials and failed to remedy the violations of local and state laws. Years passed and the house languished in a dilapidated state until it was sadly engulfed by an electrical fire. Unfortunately, a friend of the owner was living in the attic at the time and tragically suffocated in the fire.