Answers may be pending for Brandermill Inn's future
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Plywood covers some of the glass doors at the Brandermill Inn. The inn has been vandalized several times since it was closed down.

The future of the bankrupt Brandermill Inn that overlooks the Swift Creek Reservoir could become clearer this month with two court hearings scheduled.

The county has a Nov. 13 hearing to force the trustee to clean up the property and secure the building. Chesterfield's police and fire departments have been notified to monitor the inn since break-ins have occurred.

"The building is not considered blighted yet," said Building Inspections Director Bill Dupler, "but we are citing the owner for unsafe building conditions, and they haven't responded. We'll secure the building under state law with county funds, if necessary."

"We've asked the bankruptcy attorney to cut the grass and discard the material on the property," added Ted Barclay, code compliance supervisor for the zoning department. "Grass over 18 inches tall is a county code violation for unoccupied buildings so we may have to go to court. If the county cuts the grass, we'll send the bill to the owner."

The business failure and bankruptcy of the Brandermill Inn and Conference Center has spawned numerous lawsuits - mostly over a timeshare venture by then-owner Jim Moyler. Several timeshare buyers allege they did not receive the benefits they were contractually promised. The inn filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January last year, and converted to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy the following October. A part-owner has sued over leasing fees on office equipment used in the operation of the timeshare and rental business.

The Brandermill Community Association is hoping the federal court will turn over the inn to the primary lien holder at a Nov. 19 hearing in Richmond. The 44-slip marina for Brandermill residents is on a month-tomonth basis, and Community Manager Jane Pritz wants to finalize a more permanent arrangement.