Lynn lodging house owner pays fees

LYNN – The owner of the Apollo Hotel, a Union Street lodging house, paid the required city licensing fees late Wednesday after local inspectors served him with a cease-and-desist order that might have forced the eviction of his tenants.Stephon Davis, who lives at 7 Nichols St., landlord of the rooming house at 124-130 Union St., failed to renew the licenses when they expired Dec. 31. As a result, the building was not inspected for potential fire, health, building and public safety hazards.When Davis gave no indication he intended to renew the licenses, the License Commission authorized the cease-and-desist order that prevents him from operating a rooming house on the site. The order sent panic through many of the occupants living in the 29-unit facility.Michael Donovan, director of the Inspectional Services Department, said Davis met with city inspectors after paying his license renewal application fee at City Hall.”We are working with him to get the inspections he needs prior to the license being renewed,” said Donovan, noting that the landlord was give 48 hours to fix any violations and certify that the building is safe.”Our inspectors went through the building and noted where he has failed. We need to put together a plan to resolve those issues and that’s something we’re working on now. If he complies with the Licensing Board request to make those repairs, there should be no problem for the tenants, as long as those repairs can be done while the people are in the building.”