Medford Takes Major Step Toward Acquiring Troubled Former Ramada Inn Property

MEDFORD, Ore. (Oct. 11, 2026) — The Medford City Council has approved an ordinance authorizing the city to pursue eminent domain proceedings for The Loring, a deteriorating former hotel property along Biddle Road that has been the subject of ongoing public safety concerns, unauthorized occupancy and criminal activity.

During its Oct. 7 meeting, the council also approved a motion directing city staff to contract with a private security company to provide immediate, 24-hour security at the property for 90 days.

The security measures will include boarding up windows, securing doors, clearing the building of unauthorized occupants and maintaining a designated exit. Once individuals leave the property, they will not be permitted to reenter.

The council’s decision allows the city to begin the legal process of acquiring the property through eminent domain, although city officials say they are continuing to explore alternative solutions.

Former Emergency Housing Facility Falls Into Disrepair

The property, located at 2250-2260 Biddle Road, formerly operated as the Ramada Inn before being purchased by Fortify Holdings in 2021 and converted into emergency housing for survivors of Southern Oregon wildfires.

However, water leaks in 2023 and 2024 rendered the building uninhabitable, and conditions have deteriorated significantly in the years since.

According to city officials, the property has attracted unauthorized occupants and experienced considerable illegal activity, including the removal of piping and electrical wiring. Widespread mold contamination and multiple fires in late 2025 and early 2026 have further contributed to the building’s deteriorating condition.

The city has attempted to address the situation through enforcement actions, including issuing tens of thousands of dollars in fines, meeting with the property owner and warning of potential legal proceedings.

In December 2025, the building was officially posted as unsafe to enter.

The following month, the city assisted the property owner in clearing the building under an agreement that the owner would maintain around-the-clock security.

However, on May 8, city officials learned that the private security company would discontinue its services because it was no longer receiving payment.

The city subsequently met with the property owner on June 4 and continued communicating with him regarding conditions at the site.

Police Respond to Dozens of Calls

Medford Police responded to 58 calls for service at The Loring between Jan. 8 and Sept. 23, according to information released by the city.

Of those calls, 15 occurred before 24-hour security was discontinued on May 8, while 43 occurred afterward.

Reported incidents included trespassing, suspicious activity, burglary, property damage, domestic disturbances and other complaints.

The property was also the scene of a death investigation on Aug. 31, when officers responding to a call discovered a 35-year-old man deceased.

According to the city, the responding officer reported no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. The official cause of death remained pending a medical examiner’s report at the time of the city’s announcement.

Despite continued enforcement efforts and communication with the property owner, city officials say adequate security has not been maintained and conditions at the property have continued to deteriorate.

Eminent Domain Approved as Last Resort

City officials have characterized eminent domain as a last-resort measure intended to address ongoing public health and safety concerns associated with the property.

Those concerns include contamination, deteriorating structures and inadequate water and sanitary facilities.

Eminent domain is a legal process that allows a government entity to acquire private property for a public purpose, subject to legal requirements and compensation to the property owner.

The ordinance approved Oct. 7 authorizes the city to initiate proceedings in Circuit Court to acquire title to The Loring.

The property’s value would be established through negotiations with the owner or determined through the court process.

City officials have indicated that their ultimate intention is to transfer the property to another owner rather than retain long-term ownership.

The council’s approval does not mean the city has taken ownership of the property. Instead, it authorizes city officials to pursue the legal proceedings necessary to acquire it.

In the meantime, the newly approved 90-day security operation is intended to address immediate safety concerns, prevent unauthorized reentry and secure the building while the city evaluates its options.

City officials have not announced a timeline for completing potential eminent domain proceedings or identified a prospective future owner for the property.

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