The City of Bloomington has shut down the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center. A contractor tipped off the city that fire alarms did not work.
City of Bloomington Community Development Director Tom Dabareiner said the contractor contacted the city out of frustration after trying to deal with the non-function alarms "for a while."
"We have no confirmation, but it sounds like weeks or months," said Dabareiner.
The city has issued a news release indicating inspectors verified the alarm system did not operate.
There is no current timeline to restore the alarms and allow reopening, although Dabareiner said there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
"We're working with the hotel to get them repaired as quickly as possible so they can reopen," Dabareiner told GLT News as he observed guests departing the hotel. He said the hotel has made arrangements to find other accommodations for those in the 75 rooms booked.
The city has allowed the attached Tony Roma's restaurant to remain open because of its first floor location and unnamed other factors. The city is also inspecting fire alarm operations at Tony Roma's.
The city has been in a dispute with the Chateau for years of unpaid taxes. At one time there was an agreement to pay, but the Chateau quickly fell off the payment schedule and the dispute reignited.
Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect a more accurate number of hotel guests. WGLT originally reported around 50 guests were displaced. Reporters have now learned 75 rooms were booked.
