Runaway teen finds lodging at Villager

Nov. 10, 2005

By Patty Brandl

A former South Main Street motel that has been vacant since 2003 apparently provided temporary lodging for a teen runaway from Washington state and two others, police officials say.

The property, which is owned by Dairyland Investments Inc., is in receivership following an earlier foreclosure. The court-appointed receiver, Gil Balin, told Fond du Lac Community Development Director Wayne Rollin the property has been sold but would not provide him with any other information. The Reporter was unable to reach Balin for comment.

"When we find out more, we'll determine whether the use is good for the city of Fond du Lac," Rollin said Wednesday.

Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly said Wednesday he had received a tip that someone had entered the former Villager Lodge, 1325 S. Main St. When patrol officers checked the building, there were signs of forced entry.

Police Lt. Andy Gill said officers found the teenage girl inside the building and took her into custody on a warrant from Tacoma, Wash. Two others who had been staying in the rundown building left the area.

"The police made me aware that the chain had been cut (to gain entry to the building)," Rollin said. "We had the place re-secured yesterday (Tuesday). The doors are padlocked."

The taxes are up to date and paid for 2004, he noted.

"I think the property itself is very well located and valuable," he said. "It's about seven acres of land fronting on Highway 41. I don't know if the building has a future as a hotel. It would take a significant investment to rehab the property."

Parts of the building are in bad shape, including the former restaurant, bar and ballroom, Rollin said, but the motel portion is structurally sound.

A half-dozen people have called the city with proposals about the use of the property since April 2003.

"Nothing in the past has proved feasible," Rollin said.

Attorneys for Dairyland had asked the court to foreclose on the property in late April 2003, shortly after unpaid utility bills resulted in the cutoff of gas, electricity, water and phone services. City building inspectors had deemed the premises unlivable, and the city was forced to evict about 30 tenants of the building who were regular residents of the building rather than motel guests.

Among those forced to vacate were families with small children, as well as disabled and elderly residents, who were given 24-hour notice by the city to pack their possessions and find new lodging. Although city inspectors were sympathetic to the tenants' situation, they said they could not allow them to live in unsafe conditions.

Since the property is adjacent to the Ledgeview Corporate Center and is visible from Highway 41, he suggested that either a corporate type of land use or a big box retailer would be appropriate.

At some point, Rollin said the rundown property could begin to pose a threat to the community.

"At that time we could condemn the property and remove the building," he said. "It's not at that point yet."

Meanwhile, the property has been secured and placed back on the police patrol watch list.

Barthuly said his department works cooperatively with Community Development to ensure that buildings that are supposed to be vacant remain vacant.

"We're very happy with the community," Barthuly said. "They tell you when something's going on, and we can take steps to make it safe."


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