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Agencies scramble to find housing for displaced residents, some motels turn people away
With all that is known to date, it appears a proper progression of events forced the removal of more than 300 families and nearly 1,500 people from the four buildings of the Superior Creek Lodge in East Ridge Wednesday and Thursday. But it does beg a number of questions.
When were the buildings last inspected? If there were problems identified, were they corrected? And if East Ridge city officials allowed residents to stay overnight Tuesday after initial problems were noticed, as Interim City Manager and Fire Chief Mike Williams has acknowledged, why couldn't they let residents stay one more day while evacuation plans were put in place?
This was not one family displaced by a fire, after all, but about 7 percent of the population of East Ridge.
Fortunately, in ways that are typical of Chattanooga and its environs, volunteers and organizations have stepped up to assist this now homeless horde. The Community Foundation, for instance, cut a check for $15,612.14 for housing some of the residents at four local motels through Monday and staff for a week. East Ridge United Methodist Church and Spring Creek Baptist Church also opened their doors to groups of residents.
However, most residents are on their own.
Superior Creek Lodge owner David Gysin said Thursday that he plans to make any and all necessary repairs to make the buildings safe for residents to return, but no timetable was available for that work.
Since this is not the first time the city of East Ridge has had reason to check on the extended-stay hotel - it previously was labeled a "public nuisance" because of crimes committed by residents - if it reopens, it's imperative the city keep a closer eye on the building and its inhabitants.