Tryon approves ordinance to clean up Melrose Inn 

 

TRYON—The Town of Tryon approved an ordinance this week to clean up the historical Melrose Inn property, which burned down last September.  

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday and approved an ordinance that gives the town the right to clean up the property.  

The property is located at 55 Melrose Avenue, across from the Tryon Fine Arts Center.  

Town Manager Zach Ollis said the structure burned down last September and entered the minimum housing procedure earlier this year.  

“Per the procedure, the owner was given 60 days from the receipt of a finding of fact and order (on March 15, 2019) to have the debris on the property removed and the lot brought to a buildable state,” Ollis said. “The work has not been completed so the town must adopt a demolition ordinance for this property to proceed.”  

The town has received one estimate for the clean up at $95,650 and is in the process of collecting and comparing more estimates.  

Resident Robert Lange spoke during Tuesday’s meeting and said he is right next door and in talking with his neighbors, urged the town to make sure when they clean it up they account for the dust and residue that will be kicked up.  

Ollis said earlier this year that he realizes the clean up costs seem outrageous but the building was 26,000 square feet with a basement full of debris.  

The Melrose Inn was built in 1889 and burnt to the ground because of an electrical fire in September.