Future cloudy for old hotel

ORANGE CITY -- A burst of rain and high winds April 14, 2009, blew parts of the Heritage Inn's metal roof off, sending twisted pieces onto South Volusia Avenue and into nearby businesses.

When the storm ended, most residents went back to business as usual, but for the historic hotel's owner, Amy DiVittorio, the storm hasn't ended yet.

A dispute with her insurance company has left DiVittorio unable to make needed repairs to the roof, which she estimates will cost just under $200,000. On April 13, a year after the storm, the city of Orange City served DiVittorio with a notice of code violation and gave her 60 days to get the blue tarps off and some new roofing on.

The Heritage Inn is a landmark in west Volusia County. Built in 1875 by Hugh and Sophia DeYarman of Eau Claire, Wis., the hotel opened in early 1876 as the first public building among the orange groves of that area of West Volusia. It hosted Sunday services and held a small library for the area's early settlers.

Today, the Heritage Inn is a cornerstone in Orange City's Historic District. And, according to Volusia County historian Tom Basket, it's the oldest operating hotel in Volusia County. DiVittorio believes it may be the oldest running hotel in the state. It also houses one of the few postal museums in the nation.

But the fact the Heritage Inn has its doors open for business may just be the thing that closes the doors permanently. For-profit businesses don't qualify for county ECHO grants or other grant monies. Even the hotel's historic value doesn't count as long as there are guests renting any of the 36 rooms.

"I wish there was a better answer," said Julie Scofield, Volusia County historic preservation officer, "There is not (any grant money) available."

Volusia County Cultural Coordinator Mike Fincher agreed.

"If they were a nonprofit and rented space, you could (apply for a grant), depending on the amount of space," he said.

DiVittorio purchased the inn in 2003. Working as a mortgage broker, she relocated from Orlando to DeLand in 1994 and bought two other historic properties there. One she lives in. The other she rents out. Both have been mortgaged to finance previous renovations at the Heritage.

The Heritage Inn has been a labor of love for the innkeeper who now is in danger not only of losing her home, but her sole source of income as well.

"For a while, I did mortgages, too, but the amount of renovations and attention to detail needed (for the inn), this is all I do," she explained. "I'm the caretaker of this building and to have it in this state is very difficult for me. My hands are pretty much tied at this point."

Orange City's hands are tied, too.

"They have to do a roof repair," said Orange City's City Manager Jamie Croteau. "(The city does) not have a program for that. If (the city helps) replace her roof, you have to do it for every business's roof."

"I've not talked to the owner, but we're hoping this (notice) will place some pressure on her insurance company to settle this," added Mayor Harley Strickland. "It's a valuable part of our community from a historical perspective. I applaud (Amy DiVittorio) for her efforts to do the things she's done to that building."

While the clock is ticking on the Heritage Inn and DiVittorio searches for options, others in the community are pleading for help.

"We're trying to preserve this, please. Where else can you find this?" asked Mary Blair, wife of Orange City Councilman Gary Blair. She owns and operates a barbershop inside the Heritage Inn.

What happens next? When the 60-day notice expires, Strickland says DiVittorio will have to appear at a meeting with the city's code-enforcement special master for a review of the case.

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