Now that the predators know which hotels the students are at, when will the Advocate print the room #'s for the students?

Legion: You may have a better memory of the property's history, but I believe the Holiday Inn franchise was pulled prior to the Holiday Inn Express being built. Perhaps it was planned, but not built.

The Holidome (remember that?) was a popular place for travelers to stay 20 years ago. I speak from experience as I was one of the many that chose to spend my evening time there while on the road. Around 15 or so years ago, an exodus began as the property became to suffer from spotty maintance and management and failed.

I ate at their buffett a couple of times in the 2000's and was shocked to see how far down the property continued to fall. Filthy and rundown. Given that, it is no wonder the previous operator went broke.

All that being said, WHO stands for the increased cost bringing the proposed dorm up to standards? The answer? You and me.

Ohhh OK...I didn't read all 147 other stories...thanks, that makes sense.

VBB--

It was in one of the 47 other UHV stories last week.

They get a free breakfast at the hotel, and each student was given a $100.00 VISA card.

I can't believe they are housing students at an exterior corridor motel. If that were my child...I would not be happy & would be looking for a new university. How are they providing meals for so many when they are spread out? Vouchers?

Bighorn, almost right.

Yes the roof has leaked since the property was the Holiday Inn. When Holiday Inn Express opened the name was removed and new owners took over, it became Howard Johnsons.

That was about Jan. of 2008. The new owners slashed the maintenance and housekeeping staff and eventually closed the bar and restaurant, then the owners defaulted on the loan for the property.

About Jan. of 2009, the property was owned by a large bank known for as a previous owner of a stage coach line. The bank hired a management company to operate the property and renamed it Inn Place.

On Dec. 31 2009, the management company informed all guests they had to leave by 5 p.m. The property had been sold, effective 12:01 a.m. Jan 2010.

After it was sold on Jan. 1st 2010, the property was vacant until renovations started in May 2010. The property was vacant for 5 months after it had been purchased by UHV.

Nothing related to the problems and price played for the defenct relic. Honestly, when Holiday Inn first pulled this place's franchise, it was years overdo. Then the hotel closed, reopened as "Taliban Inn", then closed, reopened as "Al-Quiada Arms", then closed and was vacant when UHV bought it at an extremely high price.

Who is standing for the bill for all the extra work needed? The former owner? And just WHO was the former owner? The appraiser/inspector? Don't they bare some responsibility for all the "unseen" problems? Real estate sales office? Did they misrepresent the property?

All of these parties should be brought to bare the extra expense of repairs, and the housing of the students while repairs are being made.

Jags91: I agree with what you have said. I am UH-V alumni, too, and I know that this university is capable of better than this. I have held my tongue for the most part, but the picture of a newly arrived student walking alone down a hotel corridor just did it for me. If I were a parent, I would be completely incensed.

I do give credit to UH-V for arranging transportation, meals, etc. It seems they are doing all they can to cope with an unfortunate situation, but my point is that the situation should never have happened in the first place. I'm not a contractor, nor am I a university president, but even *I* know from life experience that no matter what you plan, most times it will always cost more and take longer than you think. WHY wasn't this planned better, with more time to allow for the little glitches that inevitably occur? It seems UH-V rushed unnecessarily here. And now we see the embarrassing result of that haste. I would not be surprised if UH-V became the laughing stock of the state. How far this university has fallen in the past 10 years. Is the "progress" of downward expansion for show (and numbers) only? This cannot be called REAL progress.

Jackduece, I'm alumni and I am a parent. Yes I care, and yes it's embarrassing for the entire community. LaQuinta? really? C'mon that's unacceptable. Yes I care how they intend on providing a safe and secure environment for these students. These are kids that are on their own in a strange place for the very first time in their lives. Would you let your son or daughter live at a drive up motel as their very first college experience? I wouldn't think so!

This is embarrassing. How does the University plan on providing meals and transportation. This is going to be a costly operation, and a massive undertaking that will take tons of employees to get this done. Students have all kinds of varying college schedules. Labs, library visits, intramurals, etc. UHV is absolutely going to need vans or buses running all day and late into the evening. Does anyone have any idea how they plan on doing this? Not to mention the security that will be needed at these locations for the students. How can they keep all these kids safe?