It became known as the motel where an alligator was found swimming in the pool.
But the Bayview Inn & Suites has been so much more for Atlantic City.
None of it good.
On Thursday, a year after it was first scheduled to be razed, machines started working on tearing down the unwelcoming eyesore that greets people entering the city via the Black Horse Pike.
“We’ve begun demotion,” Licensing and Inspection Director Dale Finch said, a relief in his voice.
“We’ve been going back and forth with the supposed redevelopers,” he explained.
But a recent ruling from Judge Julio Mendez finally allowed the demolition to begin.
“It took a long time, but I think persistence prevailed here,” he said.
The motel already had fallen into disrepair by the time a drug raid made headlines in August 2017.
It displaced 33 people and seven dogs. But it was the 3-foot alligator fished out of the pool that made headlines.
Where in the world is Atlantic City motel's owner?
Bayview faces demolition after a raid, an alligator and a suspicious fire His tenants call him Randy.When they can find him, that is.Randhir Maisuria is the owner of the Bayview Inn & Suites, which was raided last Monday.Without any action, the three buildings and main office that make up the motel will be demolished next…
Randhir Maisuria, known to his tenants as Randy, was nowhere to be found.
“We tried to get the owner for almost two years,” Finch said. “He just didn’t respond.”
As the motel sat shuttered, there were two fires. Both were deemed suspicious.
Then, there were promises of renewal.
“Three of them came in, wasted out time and walked away,” Finch said.
The cost of demolition will be about $240,000, covered by the CRDA. More charges could come.
A lien will be placed on the property for any future developer, Finch said. A price will be determined later.
A TIMELINE IN HEADLINES
Alligator caught swimming in Atlantic City motel pool
Atlantic City police were called to a strange swimmer at a motel pool Tuesday. A 3-foot-long alligator had to be fished out by animal control ... Read more...
Egg Harbor Township man charged in 2016 overdose death
A man arrested at an Atlantic City motel Tuesday morning is charged with strict liability drug-induced death for the overdose death of an Egg Harbor Township man ... Read more...
Fire at closed Atlantic City motel is 'suspicious,' chief says
A fire at a closed Atlantic City motel that was recently the focus of a raid is suspicious, according to the fire chief. ... Read more...
End may be in sight for Atlantic City's troubled Bayview Inn
After a drug raid, an alligator and two suspicious fires, the Bayview Inn is still standing on Albany Avenue... Read more...
Atlantic City's troubled Bayview may get a second chance with new owner
A troubled Atlantic City motel may be getting a second chance. The Bayview Inn & Suites ended the summer with a drug raid that featured an alligator and two suspicious fires... Read more...
Troubled Atlantic City motel to be demolished with CRDA's help
An Atlantic City motel that has seen a drug raid, two fires and an alligator in the swimming pool is finally set for demolition ... Read more...
