PORTLAND - The fire-damaged Columbia Gorge View Point Inn has been place in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a judge ruled Thursday.
Trustees of the inn filed for bankruptcy liquidation as its owner sought to maintain operations of the historic inn, which was heavily damaged last Sunday after sparks from the fireplace ignited cedar shakes on the roof.
Photos: Viewpoint Inn fire damage
There was no insurance on the building, since the policy lapsed after owner Geoff Thompson and his partner stopped making the payments earlier this year.
The property was already in Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize debts. The Chapter 7 listing will mandate the inn is turned over to trustees. It will also cease operations.
Thompson filed a last minute motion to dismiss the bankruptcy claim and testified in a hearing that if he is able to rebuild hotel, he will pay creditors.
Thompson has owned the inn for the past 14 years and initially planned to ask for help to raise an estimated $1 million to repair and bring the building up to code.
A trustee said Thompson made $12,000 per month recently and questioned why he chose to keep profits rather than pay insurance.
Built in 1924 as a private home, the inn is a landmark in the Gorge and on the National Register of Historic Places. Amazingly, the art and many antiques inside were fine.
KGW Reporter Kyle Iboshi contributed to this report
