Last week, residents of the America’s Best Inn in the Baymeadows Center area were suddenly told they had to pack up and leave in order to do renovations. Since then, many people have been left scrambling.
were suddenly told they had to pack up and leave in order to do renovationsWe talked to the man listed in court records as the property owner — Samuel Bonnardel — over the phone. He said that several months ago, he sold off his stakes in the property, which is owned by several developers.Bonnardel said they are trying to renovate the property so they can sell it within the next few months.“We have to clear the place out at this point, right? And the property has to get fixed up,” Bonnardel said.
Residents say that’s not what they’ve been told in person. Kyle Humphreys, who has lived at the motel for years, said a manager escorted by police officers told them to leave Tuesday. “She said if you guys don’t get out peacefully, we’re gonna get you out one way or another, so, basically threatened us to get out,” Humphreys said.On Tuesday, a number of people were still at the motel despites the notices on paper and in person. Some residents said they still don’t plan on moving out.
Bonnardel said if comes down to it, the property owners will take legal action in order to vacate the motel.