Bush House Hotel in Quakertown closed, borough declares building “unfit for habitation”

Because of numerous safety and health violations, the Boarough of Quakertown said Wednesday, Nov. 10, it removed the residents of the Bush House Hotel and condemned the building until required remedial actions make it habitable again.
On Friday, Nov. 12, the borough said all displaced residents of the Bush House Hotel who requested assistance with rehousing were successfully placed.
After receiving numerous complaints from residents, the general public, and first responders, inspections were conducted at the Bush House Hotel, located at 200 W. Broad St., Quakertown, in accordance with the Property Maintenance Code of Quakertown Borough, the borough said.
As a result of the inspections and in accordance with the code, Quakertown Borough said it found the hotel, owned by Thomas Skiffington real estate at 701 W. Market St., Perkasie, to be unfit for human occupancy.
Speaking with Channel 69 News Nov. 10, Skiffington called the allegations of code violations false and said he plans to sue as a result of his building’s condemnation.
The TV news station reported that Skiffington said he believes his building was condemned as part of a plot to remove low-income housing from downtown Quakertown. During the same report, Quakertown Fire Marshal Douglas Wilhelm refuted the allegation.
Specific code violations cited by the borough were: Unsafe structures; Unsafe equipment; Structure unfit for human occupancy; and Dangerous structure or premises.
The borough said the inspections identified heavy bed bug and German roach infestation throughout the entire building, including multiple units on all floors, hallways, and common areas, as well as infiltrating fire detection equipment and other electrical outlets and conduit, a major safety concern, which has lead to a very large number false alarms.
The inspections also identified rooms with heavy debris, food waste and clutter, which can act as harborage and feeding areas for these insects. An exterminator who accompanied borough personnel on these inspections recommended that the entire building be treated with both a liquid and heat extermination program, after being de-cluttered, cleaned and un-occupied.

After residents were evacuated from the hotel, the borough said they were asked to take a shower via a Decontamination Trailer.
The residents were given clean and dry clothing; medically evaluated; and transported to an evacuation center set up at Quakertown Borough Hall. There, they were re-evaluated medically; provided food and water; and met with Bucks County and other governmental and nonprofit agencies concerning new housing options.
In addition to providing rehousing assistance, borough and county officials were able to connect those residents, including the elderly and those afflicted with mental illness and drug dependence, with the proper agencies for assistance and treatment, the borough said.
Meanwhile, the borough said it continues to work with the displaced residents concerning any personal effects that were left behind and which may be contaminated. The borough was allowing immediate access to allow residents to retrieve necessities, such as medicines, vital documents, etc.
Despite numerous warnings and notices provided to the owner of the hotel concerning unsafe and unsanitary conditions, there was no evidence that the owner had taken any significant steps to rectify these problems pointed out to him on several occasions by the borough, according to a borough press release.
The borough said it only undertook the condemnation of the Bush House Hotel as a last resort. The borough has provided the owner of the hotel with an extensive list of violations which it said must be addressed to bring the hotel into compliance with the Borough Code and to secure re-occupancy of the building, after inspection of the work by the borough.
jarthur@buckscountyherald.com

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