Almost two weeks after 1,500 people were forced into homelessness when Superior Creek Lodge was condemned by the city of East Ridge, questions remain unanswered. Has the city done enough? Have people found homes? What will happen to the complex? What about the families' pets?
THE CITY'S RESPONSE
"The city didn't do a doggone thing, except kick people out of their hotel," said Ken Sauer, pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church.
During the initial chaos, Sauer's church took in nine families, which totaled 40 people. All of those families found permanent housing. He encouraged the public to adopt a family, which entails giving them life advice and act as a mentor.
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"We're trying to break the cycle of poverty," he said. "A lot of people who lived at Superior Creek Lodge didn't like it, it's all they had. It's better than living under a bridge."
Sauer was pleased with the community response - a constant stream of donations, food and volunteers. But he's upset with the city's lack of response. He thinks it should have had a plan - shelter, buses for transportation - instead of agencies like Metropolitan Ministries scrambling to find emergency boarding.
Miller Blain of Metropolitan Ministries said several former Superior Creek Lodge residents asked why they weren't given more of a heads-up by either city officials or Superior Creek Lodge management. Most people packed up their lives in just one day.
"They should have made it more aware to the residents," Blain said.
This is where the city balanced safety with inconvenience.
East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert and interim City Manager Mike Williams did not respond for requests to comment. But documents written by Brad Hayen, chief building official, state there was a "threat to human life" and photos depicted decaying wood supporting exterior walkways.
Buildings A and C were inspected on Sept. 8, according to the document, and the two buildings were condemned two days later on Sept. 10.
The other two buildings, B and D, were inspected Sept. 9 and also condemned two days later on Sept. 11.
The city acted quickly when it discovered the unsafe conditions. Officials thought the damage was so dangerous everyone needed to be evacuated immediately.
Still, Sauer doesn't think the city would have acted the same if it were evicting middle-class people.
"If it wasn't for the agencies, the streets would be flooded with refugees," Sauer said. "You know, people don't generally like poor people. There's no such thing as human garbage. There's no such thing as disposable people. But I think sometimes we treat people like they're disposable."
THE RELOCATION PROCESS
Blain said they've spent $46,000 helping people with deposits for new apartments and hotels until they can find permanent residences.
Fifty families came to Metropolitan Ministries for assistance, and they've helped 33 of them find new places with 17 more to go. They've run into trouble with complexes refusing to house former Superior Creek Lodge residents because of the complex's reputation of drug use and criminal activity.
"It takes one bad seed to corrupt and make a bad situation," Blain said.
Only 50 of the 300 families displaced have sought Metropolitan Ministries' help. They're not capping the number, but Blain emphasized they can only help people who've made them aware they need assistance.
"We're open to helping as many people as possible," he said. "I'm sure there are people under a bridge or on a couch."
FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Jerry Summers, attorney for Superior Creek Lodge, said officials are still trying to figure out what to do with the complex.
The city deemed it a "danger to human life or safety" because of the decaying structure of its walkways. Summers said management is communicating with its insurance companies to determine the choice that makes sense financially.
"They're trying to figure out if it's worth trying to fix or just take a bite on," Summers said.
Last week, Summers said Superior Creek Lodge hired an engineering group to go over the building and see what needs to be done. If management wants to fix the problems with the building, they will sit down with city officials and go over their plan.
He said the fate of the buildings could be known by the end of the week.
ANIMALS RETURN HOME
On a lighter side, most of the pets of Superior Creek Lodge have been returned to their families.
With families losing their homes overnight, several couldn't take care of their animals.
Andrea Dillard, East Ridge Animal Services supervising officer, said 34 dogs and 17 cats were brought to the shelter, which gave families seven days to come and reclaim their pets.
"It was absolutely chaotic," Dillard said.
Some families asked for extensions, which were granted. The shelter brought in temporary housing for the pets to accommodate the sudden influx of animals.
Now, only two dogs and three cats remain at the shelter. And, the three cats are scheduled to be picked up by their owners Friday, Dillard said. The two dogs' owners can't be reached, so they'll be spayed and neutered and put up for adoption.
Out of 51 animals brought in, only two won't be reclaimed.
"That surprised me," Dillard said. "I really assumed there would be half that wouldn't be picked up."
Contact staff writer Evan Hoopfer at ehoopfer@timesfreepress.com or @EvanHoopfer on Twitter or 423-757-6731.