Owner of Sun Motel at Henderson interchange upset he wasn’t included in county conversations about his property

​YORK – This week, during the regular meeting of the York County Commissioners, Rakesh Pai, the owner of the Sun Motel property at the Henderson interchange, expressed his unhappiness with not being included in conversations between officials from Henderson and the county about the status of his property. 

​Earlier, concerns were expressed to the county board members about the condition of properties at the Henderson interchange, including that of the Sun Motel. A county commissioner, the sheriff and the county attorney accepted an invitation to have a conversation with Henderson officials regarding what locals are calling a problem location.
While the interchange area is an entryway to Henderson from Interstate 80, it is not annexed into the city which means municipal officials have no jurisdiction there. They asked the county commissioners if they had any authority to help remediate the dilapidated conditions of the properties.
On Tuesday, Pai addressed the county commissioners during the public comment period, stating he should have been included in those conversations and argued how he has spent thousands of dollars to restore the Sun Motel property. He also claimed the property is vastly better than what it once was.
“It’s my understanding there is something wrong there, as you talked, and I think it is best to reach out to the owners. Everyone has an opinion. Negative publicity is free, but if I want good publicity, I have to pay for it,” Pai said.
He noted a comment made by a commissioner how there are old mattresses sitting out in the elements, where they have been for years. Pai said, “Those aren’t mattresses, those are box springs. We are fixing the property.”
Pai also called the property “an outdoor establishment” and added “I would have walked people through the property if I was asked. I’m in compliance with federal authorities.”
He said a few years ago he was questioned by the York County Sheriff’s Office about the property, as the person who owns it.
“I know what needs to be done, I’ve spent a lot of money there,” Pai continued. “It’s affected businesses across the road? Who claimed that? I’m 74% occupied, I’m doing business. No one would live there if it was not acceptable. Rome wasn’t built in a day, it’s one step at a time. That property has not been abandoned. The business in front did not close because of me, they had their own problems. Everyone knows me in Henderson. I have the means to fix things. We can work together. This used to be a bad drug house – I took over and that ended. So next time, call me and we can do a walk-through together.”
“Yes, we will be in touch,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman.