ORLANDO, Fla. – Documents recently obtained by News 6 shed light into the August closure of an extended stay hotel along International Drive in Orlando.
The city of Orlando condemned the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in August, citing unsafe living conditions.
The condemnation and subsequent closure forced dozens of families out of the property, which has since been secured by fencing.
[VIDEO: Orlando enforces evacuation order at Howard Johnson motel on I-Drive]
While families were collecting their items and consulting with advocates for homeless services, News 6 attempted to speak to a man who tenants identified as the manager of the Howard Johnson.
Despite repeated attempts to get clarity on the situation at the time, the man refused to speak to reporters.
Earlier this Fall, News 6 filed a public records request inquiring about communications between Orlando city personnel and RORE Orlando I Drive LLC, the company that owns the hotel.
[VIDEO: I-Drive hotel tenants in Orlando forced out due to safety issues]
In response to that records request, News 6 received 77 items — some duplicates — that included emails, pictures, and reports from code enforcement personnel.
One picture taken by a code enforcement officer in August, for example, depicts the murky water in the hotel pool.
An August email from another code enforcement official gives us insight into money RORE owed the city.
The email stated that there were five open [code enforcement] cases and three liens at the property.
For one case that involved a code violation, the city ordered RORE to come into compliance by 12/13/2024. For every day of non-compliance, RORE incurred a $150 penalty fee. As of Aug. 20, 2025, the lien amount had grown to $37,350.
In a code enforcement report, on Oct. 24, an inspector wrote, “Property appears to be being sold. Extended status inspection for the outcome.”
It appears that a word is missing in the first sentence, making it unclear if RORE has sold the property or is close to being sold.
Earlier Monday, News 6 emailed the manager who we attempted to speak with in August. We have not yet heard back.