GF looking to inspect licensing program

When the Ambassador Motel in Grand Forks was closed in April for code violations it was revealed the Inn did not have a current hotel license or certificate of occupancy for rent.

Building Inspections Director Brandon Boespflug says it illustrates how broken the system is for monitoring such requirements.  Boespflug says his office is in the early stages of working to make the program better for both tenants and owners.

“My vision is not to go in and say this is a bad building and let’s take it down.  My vision is to work with these property owners on how do we make it look better and how can we help you.  Rather than go through the enforcement aspect let’s use the education aspect.”

Boespflug says it’s impossible for his office to visit every site every year.  Still he plans to bring a report on changes and recommendations to the council at a future date.

On Monday the council voted to raze the former 22 unit motel.   A demolition date is likely 60 days out.