Niraj Shah, Red Crown Inn Owner, discusses flooding concerns behind his hotel with state officials.
Niraj Shah has been the owner of the Red Crown Inn for three years now. In that period, he has invested over a million dollars by his account in the hotel to bring it up to code. He religiously cites other improvements like the installation of a perimeter fence and security cameras to deter unlawful dumping and other unwanted activity as proof of his commitment to being a good business owner.
Russett residents have long maintained that 198 hotel owners were negligent in allowing their properties to become havens for substandard housing, blight, unwanted loitering, and unlawful activities. The state-owned land behind Red Crown Inn has been the site of illegal dumping for years. Devin Tucker, a long-time resident, and Russett advocate, led a petition drive several years ago to force the closure of the hotels due to the high number of calls for police service to the establishments. The petition drive yielded over 700 signatures to Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. Tucker says that the petition drive was a key moment in bringing more scrutiny on the hotels, but that more can be done to help owners like Niraj who are trying to do the right thing. "Niraj has been the most responsive hotel owner. He still has some work to do but he at least makes an effort to keep things presentable at his hotel. For years, we've worked with Clean Harbors and fellow homeowners to help clean up the area behind the hotels but we can no longer do that due to some of the hazards back there," said Tucker. Tucker says that the illegal dumping conditions on the SHA land behind the Red Crown Inn impact nearly 300 homeowners in Russett. He said that they have found everything from appliances, car parts, furniture, oil, and other items on the land.
By Shah's estimate, he's done more than enough to help mitigate nuisance issues involving at least his hotel. He just needs the State of Maryland and particularly the State Highway Administration (SHA) to start doing their part. "I'm doing everything I can to be a good neighbor. I'm not like the other owners. The SHA owns the land behind my hotel and I just need them to take responsibility for it because when it rains, it floods my property. That's a big problem for me. I've called everyone to help me fix this issue. Delegate Rogers is trying to help me solve the problem," said Shah.
Both Shah, Tucker, and Russett resident Guernica Borne met on Thursday morning with the SHA for a meeting arranged by state Delegate Mike Rogers. Rogers, who is also a homeowner in Russett, says that he arranged the meeting to encourage a fix for the issue. "My office has been in constant contact with the SHA regarding a range of issues along 198 and I have asked them to help address the illegal dumping and flooding concerns behind Nirah's hotel. It's important for the SHA to listen to the stakeholders directly on matters like this. We'll get it done with the help of the SHA" said Rogers.
Kimberly Tran, District Five Director for the SHA, said that she was pleased that Rogers' office reached out to her team. Tran mentioned that she was impressed with the volunteer work of the community to help clean up the area adding that the SHA normally has to "pay someone to clean up these areas. We will work to address these issues immediately."
Among the strategies proposed to address the issues include expanding the drainage behind the Red Crown Inn to reduce flooding at the hotel. Tran acknowledged that the drainage was too small to accommodate "sheet runoff" from rainfall. Tran also agreed to Tucker's request to thin out overgrowth and vegetation behind the hotel. The thick vegetation encourages is an ideal hiding place for illegal dumping according to Tucker. Tucker also noted that the area behind the hotel has been the site of homeless encampments. Tran offered that her office has a homeless liaison and that she will ask the liaison to be mindful of any homeless encampments in the future. Finally, the SHA will remove any debris and more closely monitor the area in the future.
Shah seemed pleased with the outcome of the meeting. "I want to thank Guernica from Russett, and definitely Mr. Devin Tucker, and Delegate Mike Rogers for helping with this issue but the ball is now in the highway administration's court, " said Shah.
Overgrown vegetation and trees. Clogged storm drain behind the Red Crown Inn.