[NewsLanc posed the following questions at 7:00 AM on Thursday to the office of Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray, which forwarded the inquiry to the office of Fire Chief Tim Gregg. The responses, which arrived at 4:00 PM that day, are presented below:]
1) What triggered the sudden order to close the downtown Brunswick Hotel? Was some life threatening danger detected that required evacuation of the building? Or was this an action taken because of disregard of official warnings given to Brunswick management some time prior?
After a June 30th deadline passed to have the Brunswick’s fire alarm system upgraded and tested, Fire marshals conducted a walk through inspection of the building whereupon it was determined that construction was being performed without a Building permit. Fire Safety and building inspections revealed numerous violations in addition to immediate life safety hazards that necessitated evacuation of the premises. There was evidence that sprinkler heads were blocked; smoke detectors were not operating; and fire walls were breached.
2) If the a matter is of disregard by Brunswick management, was any notice given a day or two ahead of time so that the Brunswick would either have an opportunity to appeal and to notify guests scheduled to arrive?
No, this was a matter of life safety.
3) When was the decision made to close the Brunswick? Who made the final decision?
The final decision to close the Brunswick was made by Fire Chief Tim Gregg after consultation with fire and building inspectors following a thorough inspection of the premises on Wednesday, July 8th.
4) NewsLanc is making a Freedom of Information request for a copy of all correspondence both internal and with the Brunswick concerning the fire code violation and possible closing of the hotel.
I will refer this request to our Open Records Officer.
5) Management of the Brunswick states that that City official told their contractor that the July deadline would be extended until September because corrections could not take place until then and the extension was informally approved? Is this correct? Was this a misunderstanding? Was the mayor aware of the Brunswick’s understanding of the matter when he decided to close the Brunswick?
No extension was given past the June 30, 2009 deadline.
6) Should there be evidence that this action was unwarranted, the City would likely be liable for up to $25,000 a day in damages for loss revenue and perhaps millions of dollar in damage to reputation. Has this been taken into consideration?
Life safety issues warranted this action.
7) Questions have been raised about why the City would permit the Brunswick to operate despite a violation and then, upon the opening of the Marriott Hotel opened and then almost immediately after the Municipal Official’s conference shut it down. What is the mayor’s response.
Subsequent to a June 30th deadline, an inspection revealed numerous additional violations that pose an immediate threat to life safety.
Regardless of what the politicians say, it still smells like a skunk in the wood pile.