Crossville Council votes to seek demolition of Inn of the Cumberlands

In the nearly two years since the City of Crossville condemned the old Inn of the Cumberlands structure on Sparta Highway at Tennessee Avenue the owners have done nothing to alleviate the problems with the building.

The city council heard a report on the situation during their January meeting from city attorney Will Ridley. Ridley reminded the council they had discussed the property in their recent closed executive session and the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the property owners. According to Ridley, the property has been through the administrative hearing process.

City Attorney Will Ridley

“We have worked with these property owners almost continuously for the past two years and received promise after promise that changes would be made and that has not occurred,” explained Ridley. He added that the property was set to go on the tax sale the following week but the owners paid the minimum amount to pull the property out of the tax sale.

Inn of the Cumberlands

Ridley told the council, “What I'm asking you today is if you are ready to move forward with and authorize me to file suit in Chancery Court to seek a demolition of the property. And I want you to be aware up front that this will not be a property that we make out money back on.” According to Ridley, the city will be paying to demolish the property but because there are so much taxes owed to the city and the county that will have to be paid first. In addition, there is another lien that may have to be paid before the city is that would be explored in the lawsuit.

Asked about numbers, Ridley said about $70,000 in back taxes were owed and the cost of demolition is estimated by the codes department at $100,000 including tonnage dumping fees. Ridley said one of the partners had purchased a trust deed from the bank but he did not have details on that as nothing has been registered at the courthouse on that trust deed.

Councilman Danny Wyatt said, “Move to approve Mayor. Let's take this to court.” The motion was supported by council member Pamala Harris.

The authorization was unanimously approved.

Council also approved an action against a tenant renting an airplane T-hanger at the Crossville Memorial Airport that is being used to house an RV and not an airplane. According to Ridley, the use is disallowed in the lease and the tenant has also not held proper insurance for several years.