Six arrested in Days Inn prostitution sting
Lakewood Police rounded up a half-dozen people as the result of a prostitution sting at the financially troubled Days Inn on Lake Avenue in the East End.
Police declined to release many details about the bust, which took place two weeks ago.
The four incident reports generated regarding the event identify only three of the arrestees. Police dispatch traffic heard afterward suggested at least one of females was found to be in possession of crack cocaine.
A Google search of the phone numbers contained in the reports shows that some of the women operated on the notorious website Backpage.com.
Lakewood Municipal Court records indicate 22-year-old North Ridgeville resident Megan Rouwenhorst was found guilty of prostitution and fined $250. She was given one year of probation and banned from the Days Inn. 29-year-old Cleveland resident Amanda Rose was issued the same sentence. 26-year-old Cleveland resident Shannon Ayende skipped her arraignment and is now wanted by police on a non-appearance warrant.
The 66-room hotel, which has been the site of similar arrests in the past, is in foreclosure and under a court-ordered receivership. It has also been the subject of scathing online reviews by unhappy patrons.
Receiver Mike Guggenheim did not respond early last month to a request for a comment on the situation.
Representatives from the city’s Division of Housing and Building, Division of Fire, and Cuyahoga County Board of Health inspected the premises in August.
Records from the inspections show just a handful of fire code violations, but around 15 building code corrections. As per regular operating procedure, the building department inspected just 25% of the rooms.
Details from the Board of Health review will be posted when they become available.
Foreclosure strikes Kenilworth Tavern, Avenue Tap House buildings
In an odd coincidence, foreclosure proceedings were initiated one day apart against the side-by-side buildings on Detroit Avenue that house the Kenilworth Tavern and the Avenue Tap House.
At face value, Doowekal LLC, the corporation which owns the recently renovated Avenue Tap House building, would seem to be in less of a bind. Its foreclosure is based upon an $8,210 tax certificate payment.
Kenilworth Tavern business and building owner Paul Kriaris, on the other hand, has Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company on his tail for $106,095.
The city’s Planning Commission last year rejected Kriaris’ request to build a rooftop-dining patio. Kriaris said at the time he wanted to add the feature in order stay competitive in the changing marketplace. He also mentioned that the second floor apartments above the bar were vacant.
Lakewood Plaza: Destination Shopping Summer 2012?
There may soon be a sign that the long-awaited plan to renovate Lakewood Plaza will finally begin – literally.
The city’s Sign Review Board has received a request to install a 10-foot by 10-foot sign on Detroit Avenue trumpeting the property’s revitalization. It takes liberty with the phrase “destination shopping,” but people will get the point.
Blockbuster Video, one of the strip mall’s current tenants, is not featured on the billboard. Given their Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year it would not be a surprise to see them fold, although a worker at the store today said he was unaware of any plans to close.
Ownership of the property is a little fuzzy. One Lakewood Co. LLC, controlled by Canton-based developer Giltz and Associates, is listed as the owner of record with the county recorder’s office.
However, the sign application shows the owner as LRC-G Lakewood Investors, a company that was formed in May, according to Ohio Secretary of State records.
The court-appointed receiver said in a July report that negotiations were underway involving sale of the foreclosed property and/or mortgage note. The receiver’s most recent report was submitted to the court on September 28, but hasn’t been made available for public review.
Councilperson Smith finally submits financial disclosure statement
For the third consecutive year, At-Large Councilperson Monique Smith’s financial disclosure statement to the Ohio Ethics Commission arrived either late or incomplete. In this instance, it was both: 105 days late and unsigned.
Not to worry though, she’s in good company. Law Director Kevin Butler and former Ward 1 councilperson turned his statement in 61 days late.
Late filers are subject to a $10-per-day fine up to a total of $250. A Commission representative said the process of collecting completed statements is confidential and he was prohibited from disclosing if either Smith or Butler was fined.