HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- For the second time in two years, city inspectors are planning to shut down the Economy Inn on US-31 because of ongoing health and safety violations. On Wednesday, they sent a final letter to motel managers letting them know their lodging license would not be renewed.
Each day, there's a cycle of traffic here on US-31. Right next to it, another pattern is repeating itself at the Economy Inn.
Motel employees like Perry Michaels have a message for any troublemakers inside: "I will warn them once, and that's all I'm going to warn them."
However, the motel itself has received numerous warnings from city leaders about ongoing health and safety violations. Now, for the second time in two years, the Economy Inn could be forced to close.
WZZM 13 asked Michaels if the Economy Inn management should have been extra careful about violations since it was already shut down.
"Yes, but it's hard, you know; when you rent a room, how do we know your background?" asked Michaels.
City documents show the violations mostly deal with the building, though -- not the tenants. Violations include plumbing issues, non-working smoke detectors, and one report of 130-degree water in a bath tub.
"You turn on your shower and scolding hot water comes out -- if the city is aware of those type of code violations, we need to step in and correct them," said Holland Community and Neighborhood Services interim director Joel Dye.
In April, city inspectors sent warning letters to the Economy Inn. On Wednesday, they sent a final letter letting motel management know their public lodging license was not renewed.
"The Economy Inn this year failed its inspection; we have zero tolerance for failed inspections," said Dye.
After being shut down in 2013, motel managers spent thousands of dollars on repairing the rooms as the city council had required.
"They fixed the issues and were allowed to reopen," Dye said.
However, code violations have re-emerged and excessive police calls have continued. There were more than 80 calls last year and 60 already this year. In March, investigators found a meth lab inside at the property.
"It is alarming. I think we've taken desperate measures to take care of it. I now have security that makes the rounds every 45 minutes," Michaels said.
Employees say other violations have been corrected, too. Now, city inspectors will decide when they go to officially close the business later this week.
City inspectors say they plan to work with social service agencies to find new places for some of the guests to go.
The Economy Inn can go to the city council to appeal the decision revoking its license.