Petersburg Wins Judgment and Abatement Ordered for Old Ramada Hotel
The case of City of Petersburg v. Virginia Hotel Development, LLC; Christopher Harrison; and C.A. Harrison Companies, LLC (GV21000403-00) was tried today in Petersburg General District Court before the Honorable Judge Blaylock. The suit was filed on May 17, 2021, for exterior building code violations that have and continue to exist on the Ramada site including but not limited to the deteriorating façade. The defendants failed to comply with the Court’s Order to submit a ground of defense for the case and the City was granted summary judgment.
The Court ordered that the defendants “abate or otherwise remedy the violations through hazard control within six months.” This means that the exterior violations on the Ramada building must be corrected no later than June 8, 2022. The defendants were also ordered to pay $3,000 plus interest and court costs.
“This is a favorable step toward bringing this property into compliance and removing the dangers associated with the old Ramada eyesore that has plagued the City for some time,” said Anthony Williams, Petersburg City Attorney. Following a series of discussions and actions by City Council, a pleading was filed in Petersburg Circuit Court by the city attorney on June 3, 2021 on behalf of the City seeking to have the entire building declared an “unsafe structure” and a “nuisance.” That case (City v. Virginia Hotel Development, LLC et.al., 730CL210000495-00) is slated for trial on July 13, 2022.
“Petersburg will continue to use all available legal means to ensure that this dilapidated building is no longer a burden upon and danger to the citizens of Petersburg,” explained Mayor Sam Parham. Mayor Parham has and continues to be a driving force behind the efforts to address the condition of the Old Ramada building and site.
Senator Joe Morrissey, who has also been supportive of the City’s efforts to address the condition of the building, said “I remain optimistic that a favorable conclusion will be reached to remove this blighted structure.”
Counsel for the defendants have expressed an intention to appeal this case to the Petersburg Circuit Court.