WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Inspections department reviewing Wayside's use of Hotel Louisville

Inspections department reviewing Wayside's use of Hotel Louisville

By Marisela Burgos - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISIVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The Metro's Inspections, Permits and Licensing Department is looking into whether Wayside Christian Mission has all the required permits needed to operate Hotel Louisville. For nearly five months, Wayside has tried to move into the hotel, which it purchased and took possession of in August 2009, and set up a shelter, but that move has been blocked.

Wednesday night, WAVE 3 broke the story that Wayside reopened Hotel Louisville. 83 guests who checked into the hotel at 120 W. Broadway came from Wayside's women and families shelter on Market Street.

Members of the Metro Council have mixed reactions about Wayside's charging people a penny a night to stay at the hotel. Nina Moseley, chief operating officer of Wayside, said the mission is giving its guests the money to pay for the economy rooms.

Chris Poynter, a spokesperson for Mayor Jerry Abramson’s office, said the inspections department should have more answers on Friday. In regards to zoning, Poynter said Wayside is in compliance because it is using the building as a hotel and not as a shelter. 

"We spoke with folks in Metro before we did this,” said Moseley, defending her decision to reopen the hotel. “We didn't just dream this up and do it."

Wayside Christian Mission will do whatever it needs in order to give its women and families a place to stay. 

"We feel like we're okay and if we're not, we'll be happy to do whatever else they dream-up for us to do," Moseley said.

According to Moseley, Wayside has a business permit to operate Hotel Louisville, had a company come in to check their fire system, and has done other things to meet hotel requirements. Councilman Tom Owen (D-District 8) believes Wayside jumped the gun by moving into Hotel Louisville before Louisville Metro even determined where shelters fit into zoning districts.

"It still seems to me that Wayside is doing a publicity move and in run, a way of getting some attention to the need," said Owen.

Councilman Hal Heiner (R-District 19) disagreed. 

"To say that an existing home that's currently in a commercial zone moving to another commercial zone that that's not proper because there's no place in Louisville that’s proper, that's just wrong," Heiner said.

Heiner does not see anything wrong with Wayside charging its guests a penny a night to stay at the hotel. 

"I think there will be many on the council, myself included, that will fight for Wayside's right to exist in this community," said Heiner.

Moseley said their economy rooms are booked at Hotel Louisville. She said there is a waiting list for them and they are reserved for people coming from Wayside's emergency shelter on Market Street.

WAVE 3 spoke with attorney Steve Porter over the phone about Wayside's move to reopen Hotel Louisville. Porter, who originally blocked Wayside from moving into the former Mercy Academy building in the 1100 block of East Broadway, said, "By admitting that they are giving the residents the penny, they are in effect providing a free room and thus they are running a homeless shelter."

The Louisville Metro Inspections, Permits and Licensing Department is looking at the issue.

Related stories:

• Council members react to Wayside's 'bold move'
• Wayside reopens Hotel Louisville site as hotel
• Wayside asks for zoning ruling to operate at former hotel site
• Wayside still on track to takeover Hotel Louisville

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