Some Gateway Hotel fire code violations date back to 2012 inspection

Some of the major fire code violations found at the Gateway Hotel date back to a May 2012 inspection.

May 2012 issues included a sprinkler system that may not operate, a locked fire escape and electrical concerns. Many of those same issues are noted in this February’s inspection report, but structural instability was added to the list.Now that previous tenants have seen the list of violations, we’re hearing their reactions.

“I didn’t want something to happen like in New York City with that building exploding to happen to me,” former tenant Stewart McLendon said. He lived in the Gateway Hotel when city officials shut it down March 10 due to hazards that could harm residents.

Building owner Soncha McCormick has yet to be heard from. She’s been sent a letter requesting her presence at a Building and Standards Commission meeting on March 26.

The Fire Marshal says that the owners actually fixed some of the problems listed in the 2012 inspection and that’s why the hotel wasn’t shut down previously. Turns out during this year’s standard fire inspection additional building and code violations were noticed and that’s why a task force was created.

No working smoke detectors were found in the building, an electrical hazard was present due to leaking sewage and no evacuation plan was in place for tenants.

“It’s an ongoing work, if you will, between us and the building owners/representatives to get up to compliance,” Fire Marshal Orlando Arriola said.

Residents like McLendon, who still haven’t found a place to live, say the experience has opened their eyes.