Schuylkill County Commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to take action against the owner of the former Days Inn hotel for allegedly failing to pay the County’s hotel tax.
The County says a municipal claim against the owner of the former, beleaguered property in North Manheim Township, just north of the Cressona Mall, was filed on April 29, 2019, in the amount of $47,500. That represents the amount of back County hotel taxes the property owner, Seven Hills Hospitality Inc., owes the County government.
The County says Seven Hills Hospitality hasn’t made any payments on that back tax since that judgement was filed.
So, on Wednesday, the Commissioners voted in favor of giving the Solicitor’s office the authority to pursue collection action against Days Inn ownership in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. That collection action could include the issuance of a writ of execution and a Sheriff’s sale, to take the property away from the current owner.
“It’s an entrance to our County,” Commissioner Gary Hess said. “It’s definitely an eyesore.”
Solicitor Paul Datte told Commissioners that their action on Wednesday means that either the County will collect the back hotel tax it’s owed or it’ll be sold at a Sheriff’s sale.
Treasurer Linda Yeich said Wednesday that the hotel owners are up-to-date on paying their County property taxes.
Back in 2019, a fire at the former hotel property was deemed an arson. Firefighters have been called to that scene numerous times to put out fires.
Since the business closed, it’s been known to be a haunt for homeless people in the area. Its condition has been well documented in several YouTube videos.
