Cathleen Allison/Nevada AppealWayne Johnson tries to auction a number of properties Thursday afternoon in front of the Carson City Courthouse. The Frontier Motel was foreclosed and taken over by Excel National Bank after no one bid on it.
Residents at the Frontier Motel will not be immediately affected by its foreclosure and takeover by a bank Thursday, according to the former owner.
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Excel National Bank took over the 53-room Carson City motel after no one bought it at an auction with an opening bid of about $2 million.
Former owner Hardip Singh said he will continue to manage the motel at 1718 N. Carson St. as the bank looks for a new owner during the next few months.
"They're satisfied, I'm satisfied, my guests are satisfied," he said.
Excel representative Robert Black said the bank had no comment.
District Attorney Neil Rombardo has said no matter who eventually buys the motel, residents have to be given time to move if they are forced to leave.
Singh said the slow economy hurt him just like it hurt motel residents. Many are living there long-term despite a city code allowing a maximum motel stay of one month.
"Right now," Singh said, "everyone's in a bad situation."
He's tried to be flexible with residents, too, he said, because he faces the same problems as many of them.
"If they leave, I leave," he said.
Several residents have said Singh has helped them with rent and allowed them to keep pets.
Singh bought the 20,800-square-foot Frontier Motel in 2006. It was built in 1949.
Alan Dorway, associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, said the situation at the Frontier Motel shows the larger need in the city for a comprehensive solution for low-income housing. Churches like his, he said, are getting many calls from people for help during the slow economy.
"There's just a big need now," he said.
Another Carson City motel, the Downtowner Motor Inn, is scheduled to be foreclosed and sold at an auction Jan. 8.
- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.