Experts: Hillsdale Inn's tower may have to go

It was impossible to conduct a more thorough inspection without doing serious damage to the structure, according to San Mateo Fire Marshall Paul Olkowski.

The engineers found a damaged wood structure and additional damage inside the Tower Room itself, including a cracked roof and rotting of the six exterior wood walls. The Hillsdale Inn sign mounted on top of the roof, which has served as a beacon in San Mateo for numerous years, was also damaged and posing a threat.

For the last twenty years or so, the Tower has been unused. Even if it is completely repaired, it would never satisfy modern code requirements -- since it doesn't have an adequate fire exit, according to Olkowski.

In addition to stating that the structure was unsafe, the engineers said the floor, the six exterior walls and the entire roof need to be demolished as soon as possible. The sign itself must be removed, although it may be returned at a later time if the property owner chooses to do so.

The second option the engineers recommended was to demolish the structure altogether.

Sammy Binnion, the owner of the property, has been difficult to reach and largely uncooperative in the past, according to city officials.

It is believed that Binnion himself, who is aging, does not have much at all to do with the property anymore. The last written correspondence the city received from him named a trust in the name Sandra B. Truex as 'responsible' for the property. But at this time, Binnion's attorney, Charles Johnston of San Francisco, is handling correspondence for him.

Since the Dec. 27 inspection of the tower, prompted by a complaint made to the San Mateo Fire Department, no work has been done and city officials are unaware of what direction the property owners will take.

It is also unknown whether the tower room or the Hillsdale Inn sign can be officially registered as a landmark. If either is so designated, the property owners may be forced to foot the bill for the restoration.

Olkowski thinks it is unlikely that the property owner will choose to completely rebuild the Honeymoon Suites. "He's milking it," he said. It has been twenty years since the Inn's absentee landlord has even visited the property, according to Olkowski.

Based upon structural drawings, the tower is approximated to be 36 to 38 years old.

Beaver did not return phone calls to the Daily Journal. Binnion and his Trust have also been unable to reach by telephone.

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