Posted at: 09/24/2012 7:09 PM
Updated at: 09/24/2012 9:10 PM
By: Katie Eldred

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Motel Among Buildings to be Demolished by St. Marys

(ABC 6 News) -- Before a new construction project can be done across from St. Marys several hotels and homes will need to be demolished. One of those is the A and A motel, where some of their long term residents have been living for more than ten years.

For Julie Mangen the A and A Motel is both home and work. She says it is much more than just a motel.

"Like around the holidays just for anybody who doesn't have a place to go, we might make a ham or a turkey and share it with our guests," said Mangen.

Like the many other guests and residents, Mangen found out just a week ago that she will have to be out by October 31st.

"I've only been here two years, there's a lot of people that have been here many years."

"Kind of like a “Cheers” place where people know your name," said longtime motel manager James Hebl.

Longtime manager James Hebl says some of the residents took the news hard.

"At first they were upset, because this is more than a building it's a home," said Hebl.

As far as ownership the motel has been in limbo for several years, but now Hebl's 20 years of working will come to an end.

"It's not just patients that stay here, we also have med students that stay for several months," said Hebl.

The small motel has come in handy for many who otherwise couldn't afford to stay.

"Not everyone has insurance, you know," said Mangen.

A month long stay here is only about $450 dollars, for patients at the clinic a price like that may be hard to come by.

While the motel may be affordable Hebl says he understands why it needs to go.

"I think these buildings should be torn down because of the condition they are in."

Mangen says like many of the residents here she is just trying to be optimistic.

"Hopefully I gain a lot of independence and I can continue with that and get back on my feet."

There is no word on when the actual construction will start. The new owners of the property plan to build a parking lot in its place which they will eventually turn into a hotel.