The Kalispell City Council has passed–on first reading, a revision to a City Ordinance addressing concerns of security and safety at vacant buildings. Initially, it’s targeted what local residents call an eyesore…the former Outlaw Inn and Convention Center. Currently, a facility can’t be condemned unless it violates a City Ordinance–which, at present, it does not.
The new fire code–if it passes on second reading in an upcoming Council meeting, gives the violator 10-days to fix the problem. After that, it’s considered a municipal offense–a violation of a City Ordinance, and can be torn down. Current code allows 60-days to correct the problems and that comes with a criminal offense. Council voted 6-3 to change it to 10-days.
Council members and City Staff had been receiving complaints about the condition of the former Outlaw Inn from local residents about the situation. City Manager Doug Russell was asked to write a revision to the City’s Fire Code to deal with the situation.
It was 3-years ago Oregon-based Fortify Holdings bought the site to turn it into multifamily housing…even rushed to evict current residents. The building has been sitting vacant ever since.
appearing on the KGEZ Good Morning Show, City Manager Doug Russell told us a fence has been built around the old Outlaw Inn, which would bring it into compliance with the new City Ordinance, when it’s officially enacted.