By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito’s historic Stonewall Jackson Hotel is pictured weeks before the building’s owner reportedly closed it down. (Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)
Benita Jackson has lived at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel for as long as she can remember, but it wasn’t until she moved recently that the 65-year-old San Benito resident claimed to realize the poor living conditions to which she had been subjected.
“Thank God I’m out of there,” Jackson said in Spanish about the hotel, which she moved from weeks ago and now resides at a local mobile home park. “It was ugly. There were always spiders and possums everywhere. I’m not going back.”
Jackson couldn’t go back now even if she wanted to, that’s because hotel owner Omar Cuevas reportedly boarded up the building after asking about a dozen families to leave on Wednesday. It’s also been reported that the hotel’s closure is only temporary pending the completion of repairs.
Such action comes after the City of San Benito Fire and Code Enforcement Departments cited Cuevas on Oct. 19 for international fire and building code violations. These violations consisted of a lack of fire extinguishers, a partially blocked fire escape and a cracked ceiling and overhead beams; loose and/or unsecured pipes, wiring or the like requiring removal, the replacement of broken windows and fixtures as well as all the handrails along the stairwells.
Although City Manager Manuel Lara has previously stated that such matters should have been resolved long ago, officials have reported that it wasn’t until an August 27 fire at the hotel that brought the building’s dilapidation to the city’s attention.
Assistant City Manager Arturo Rodriguez said on Friday that the city has since worked with Cuevas in efforts to bring Stonewall Jackson up to code.
“The city took the appropriate action to make sure the owner of the building understood he was in violation of fire and building codes,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know what [Cuevas’] intentions are by closing the building. It may be to start repairs or to sell. Our concern is the welfare of the occupants. Once all the people are gone, if he intends to remodel or repair or if anyone else intends to remodel or repair, they have to seek permits from the city.”
Though responding in the affirmative when asked to speak to Omar Cuevas, the gentleman who answered a reporter’s telephone call said, “He’s not here right now. He’s busy.”
According to Rodriguez, Cuevas has until Monday, Oct. 29, to appear before a municipal court judge and faces fines of up to $2,000 and $5,000 per day for fire and building code violations, respectively.
“If [Cuevas] doesn’t meet with the judge, then he’ll be ruled a failure to appear after 10 days,” Rodriguez said. “He could also have a warrant pending, but that’s up to the judge at that point.”
Concerning the amount of time the city has afforded Cuevas to address the violations, Rodriguez said, “The city has been working with the owner since August 29 to start taking corrective measures at Stonewall. The time element has been provided. Whatever decisions he’s made, he’s had plenty of time to make those decisions.”
In the meantime, it remains unclear where the 12 displaced families are currently residing. At least one former tenant, however, believes recent developments may be the first step toward resolve. “It’s better off closed,” Benita Jackson said about Stonewall.
Once hailed as the toast of the town during its heyday, Stonewall Jackson, located at 220 E. Stenger St., was erected in 1927 and is considered a landmark in San Benito.
Read this story in the Oct. 28 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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