4-Way Inn parolee-housing plans clear another hurdle

COLBERT COUNTY – Despite efforts by members of the public, some Colbert County Commissioners and the county’s State Senator and State Representative, the plan to convert a vacant motel to house over 30 state prison parolees is moving forward. The renovation plan, according to Alabama State Fire Marshall, Scott Pilgreen, has been reviewed by his office and has been approved. “In order to move forward with the project, Mr. Chester McKinney of McKinney Lumber Company and McVantage Packing, will now have to implement their architect’s design to modify the occupancy type from “Motel” to “Mixed-Use Residential” as well as “Assembly”, Pilgreen told the Quad Cities Daily on a phone call this morning.

At this juncture, before actual work begins on the property at the intersection of Highways 72A and US-43 in Tuscumbia, construction permits will have to be secured. The permits are now in the plan review process at the County Building Department. Once the plans are approved, as is expected, work to construct the property will commence.

Four Way Inn – Site of parolee housing for lumber company

This issue came to light back in April of this year when it was learned that two parolees had already been moved into the old motel.  They had been released from prison after serving their sentences for sex-crime related offenses. They were subsequently moved out of the hotel after a public outcry to a motel on Jackson Highway in Sheffield, and the into a rental house where it is presumed they are still residing in Sheffield.

The Quad Cities Daily has reached out to Mr. McKinney numerous times so that we can provide him an opportunity to share with our readers his thoughts on the matter. Mr. McKinney is well known in the community as a well respected business owner and contributor to the betterment of Colbert County. So far, we have yet to hear from him. In fairness, the offer still stands. We eagerly await his response.