PEKIN – The city deemed Cranwill’s Drive In uninhabitable last week and has closed the root beer stand until further notice.
“The decision to deem a property uninhabitable is not made lightly,” said Nic Maquet, director of building and community development. “And is based upon conditions observed at the premises and the city’s obligation to enforce adopted codes consistently and impartially.”
Maquet said the absence of potable water service at Cranwill’s constitutes a fundamental health and life safety requirement under applicable codes and regulations. Without access to safe and sanitary water service, the facility does not meet minimum standards necessary for occupancy or operation.
“This action did not occur in isolation,” he said. “The property has been the subject of ongoing code enforcement efforts with a documented history of code violations over an extended period of time. The City has worked to address these matters through established administrative and enforcement processes with the objective of achieving voluntary compliance and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”
Cranwill’s owner Anthony LaHood said the building had no water and no electricity, but added that both services have been restored. He said he hopes to be able to reopen the eatery June 1.
“It’s just an older building with struggling utilities,” he added. “We would appreciate it if our old customers come back and see us when we reopen.”
According to the city code, Cranwill’s can face a fine of $750 for each day that the ownership group, LaHood Enterprises, Inc., fails to comply with the shutdown. A hearing regarding the code violations is set for June 25 at 8 a.m. in Illinois Tenth Judicial Court in Pekin.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin shuts down Cranwill’s Drive-in; owner works to reopen next month
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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