Motel closure forces out residents

  • SHARON SALYER and KARL SCHWEIZER / Herald Writers
  • Friday, October 20, 2000 9:00pm
  • Local NewsLocal news

By SHARON SALYER and KARL SCHWEIZER

Herald Writers

LYNNWOOD — A motel along Highway 99 was ordered closed Friday by the state Health Department for alleged health and safety problems, forcing its weeping long-term residents to move out on a few hours’ notice.

The problems found by state inspectors included general filth, cockroach infestations, lack of repairs, structural defects and fire safety violations.

"It’s one of the worst we’ve seen; that’s the feeling of all of us," said Bliss Moore, a supervisor in the state agency’s accommodations and residential care section.

It is rare for the state agency to forcibly close a motel for such violations. Moore said he could remember only one similar action in the past four years. There are about 1,700 motels and hotels in Washington, he said.

Residents of the Vagabondsc House Motel at 16709 Highway 99 were forced to vacate the facility by 5 p.m. Friday. Eight of the hotel’s units were occupied, and about 16 people were displaced, said owner Kathleen Barrett.

She described the residents as "next to homeless." One had lived there for about five years, Barrett said.

"This is devastating because we didn’t get any time for the people to move and find other accommodations," she said.

Motel manager Arlene DeGroot said Barrett told her at 11:30 a.m. Friday that all the residents would have to be out that afternoon.

All residents were long-term and paid a weekly rate of $150-$200 for a bedroom, a bathroom, and for some, a kitchenette, DeGroot said.

Residents loaded their possessions into taxicabs Friday under a steady drizzle. DeGroot hugged another woman who was putting her last few possessions into a taxi. Both women sobbed.

"People made a home here. We had barbecues together. We did things together. There were friendships," DeGroot said.

DeGroot said she would move into her daughter’s apartment, along with DeGroot’s husband, who is disabled by emphysema, and her three teen-age sons.

Other tenants, lacking family or money, have nowhere to go, she said.

"These people are being kicked out onto the street," she said.

The state took action after receiving a complaint about conditions Sept. 27. The motel was inspected Oct. 6.

Problems documented by state and city of Lynnwood inspectors included lack of operating smoke detectors, significant scum and mold in bathroom showers, lack of heat, sagging walls, rotted wood post foundations, a major roach infestation and a "generally filthy facility littered with garbage and in general disrepair," according to a Health Department statement.

"We believe all these conditions created a significant health risk to the guests," Moore said.

Barrett said she is trying to figure out whether to reopen the motel.

"We do not agree with the findings, but we will definitely obey the law," said Barrett, who has owned the motel since 1978. "We have working smoke detectors in every room. We do have heat. We have repaired the furnace."

She charged that the state inspector "barged in" to rooms at 10 a.m. before some residents had even gotten out of bed.

"People didn’t have their beds made," Barrett said. "Some didn’t have their garbage emptied. I imagine if anyone’s house was inspected in the morning there would be violations."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A pedestrian struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Judge sentences man for role in human smuggling ring

Jesus Ortiz-Plata was arrested in Everett in May 2024. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Bill Wood, right, Donnie Griffin, center right, and Steve Hatzenbeler, left, listen and talk with South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman, center left, during an Edmonds Civic Roundtable event to discuss the RFA annexation on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds community discusses annexation into the regional fire authority

About 100 residents attended the Edmonds Civic Roundtable discussion in preparation for the April special election.

Timothy Evans, a volunteer at the east Everett cold weather shelter, with his dog Hammer on Monday, Feb. 10 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Temporary shelter opens in Everett during unusually cold weather

The shelter will open nightly until Feb. 14. Help is needed at the new location, as well as six others across the county.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.