Officials: Hagerstown hotel plagued by crime, drugs - Herald-Mail Media

Crime, drug activity, bug infestations and code violations are among the issues Hagerstown city officials said have plagued the Garden Plaza Hotel.

The hotel at 901 Dual Highway also has not been up to date on Washington County's hotel tax for more than year, according to the county treasurer.

The issues will be discussed Tuesday afternoon at a workshop meeting of the Hagerstown City Council. The meeting is to start at 4 p.m.

The hotel contains 200 rooms — 147 in the two-story hotel and 53 rooms in a rear tower. It is adjacent to Hager Hall Conference and Event Center, Barefoot Bernie’s restaurant and Cancun Cantina West nightclub.

In the past, the hotel has operated under the chain brands of the Ramada Inn, Clarion Hotel and Rodeway Inn.

Staff members from the city's police and fire departments and planning and code administration are scheduled to discuss the hotel's issues.

"Council requested this presentation," said Kathleen A. Maher, the city's director of planning and code administration.

Maher said city staff members are not asking for direction from council members, but to update them on the condition of the hotel and receive feedback on what should be done.

"They are very concerned about the property, and want to prevent these issues from happening to more properties in the future," Maher said.

Police Chief Victor Brito and Fire Chief Steve Lohr will also be present at the discussion.

The Hagerstown Police Department has responded to numerous calls of criminal activity at the hotel, including an overdose and a murder.

According to the city, the Sept. 11 homicide inside the hotel was found to be related to prostitution and drug activity.

So far in 2017, there have been 10 emergency responses to the motel, which include emergency-medical-service calls.

In 2015 and 2016, the city's fire marshal's office logged 21 inspections, 12 investigations, and several other consultations and referrals, according to city officials.

The most serious of the incidents occurred this year, when a fire broke out in the laundry room on July 21.

Numerous violations regarding fire protection within the facility were identified as a result of the fire investigation.

In September, seven rooms were condemned during a multiagency inspection.

The rear tower at the hotel currently is used exclusively for extended stays by guests, and the two-story hotel is a mix of transient and extended-stay visitors.

The hotel's ownership also has changed over the years.

Turner Development Co Inc. sold the complex in 1999 to Hagerstown Hotel Associates LLC. Millennium Hospitality Holdings LLC acquired the hotel in 2007, followed by the meeting facility in 2008. Hager Hall Associates LLC acquired the restaurant and bar in 2008.

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