Photo by Shelley Hanson – Work is underway to demolish the former 7 Inn motel in Bellaire by the property owner, said Bellaire police Chief Dick Flanagan.

BELLAIRE – A roadside relic is being razed in the village of Bellaire.

The former 7 Inn, located in the 1600 block of Belmont Street, is being demolished after many years of sitting empty and neglected.

Dick Flanagan, chief of the Bellaire Police Department and codes enforcer, said he was set to speak with the property owner on Monday about the former motel.

“I’m meeting with the owner this afternoon. It’s going to be razed all at the owner’s expense,” he said.

Since taking over the codes enforcement duties in 2017, Flanagan has worked diligently to get ruined properties either razed or repaired in the village. Dozens of dilapidated houses have been razed, mostly by the owners themselves since Flanagan took over the position.

The 7 Inn will be the largest property to come down in the village in recent history. Last year, Flanagan worked with the property owner in getting the site cleaned up — weeds slashed and grass cut. But the ultimate goal has been for something to be done with the actual building.

Though more recently the doorways and windows were boarded up, in the past the motel has been broken into and vandalized because it was not secure.

As the years passed, it became even more of an eyesore. Many have fond memories of the motel during its heyday, with some posting pictures of it on social media.

However, it has been a highly visible blight on the village of Bellaire for years. It can be plainly seen from motorists traveling on Ohio 7, not to mention the residents who live nearby it.

Flanagan said Monday he expected the owner to begin razing the building sometime after noon that same day.

According to the Belmont County Auditor property records website, the 7 Inn is owned by Ann & Amu Inc. of Wheeling. The total value of the property is listed at $253,070.