PUNTA GORDA — After failing four inspections, city officials have ordered the owner of Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel to apply for a demolition permit within 30 days and has 120 days to raze the dilapidated buildings.
The Punta Gorda Code Enforcement board found owner Amer Asmar didn’t complete the improvements to the five-story hotel, two-story building and Hurricane Charley’s Restaurant.
When the city code officer and fire marshal, re-inspected the buildings in December, there were still mechanical, fire safety and electrical issues in buildings at 300 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. The property which overlooks Charlotte Harbor was deemed “unsafe” by the fire marshal.
In August, Asmar needed time to determine if reconstruction or demolition would trigger the 50% rule. The Federal Emergency Management Agency prohibits repairs if the cost exceeds 50% of the business’s market value.
Reconstruction of the hotel triggered the 50% rule.
An attorney for Asmar admitted to the violations.