Fox Lake motel to be closed indefinitely

The Marina Motel will remain closed indefinitely after repairs on the troubled business were not completed by the deadline set by Fox Lake, village officials said Wednesday.

Mayor Ed Bender said Joseph Wulf, owner of the motel at 123 S. Route 12, has not completed repairs to all of the more than 60 life-safety and building code violations cited by the village, so the business license will not be reinstated.

If Wulf decides he wants to reopen the shuttered motel, Bender said, he can make the required repairs, then ask the building department to inspect the work. Until then, the Marina Motel must remain closed and is not allowed to house tenants.

Wulf did not return phone calls seeking comment.

"There is no 30-day suspensions or anything anymore," Bender said. "Now, when he finishes the construction work and repairs the facility, he can come to us and ask for an inspection. Then, if the work is completed, and up to code, we will reinstate his business license."

About 25 violations remain, including substandard plumbing, electrical, and construction issues, he said.

"He still has too many violations, with the plumbing being the worst of it all," he said. "But, he has a plumber and is working to fix those things. So, when he thinks he's ready to open, he can call us and we will walk through."

The Marina Motel was shut down after police discovered a disabled man living in squalor inside the facility in late July. That discovery led to a surprise inspection, where the code violations were discovered.

Officials held a public hearing in late September and issued a 30-day license suspension for the 35-year-old business. Wulf was given that time to repair the facility.

Bender said Wulf completed some repairs, but not enough to make the establishment safe.

"I understand the financial hardship this may be causing, but the building needs to be cleaned and safe before people are allowed to stay there again," he said. "It's really that simple."