More violations found at hotel previously cited for roaches, bed bugs and garbage

A Dubuque hotel recently cited for more than two dozen health-and-safety violations, including bed bugs, cockroaches and hallways strewn with garbage, has been cited for additional violations.

In January, a Dubuque city inspector visited the 98-year-old Canfield Hotel at 36 W. 4^th St., Dubuque, and cited the business for 14 regulatory violations — an exceptionally large number for a hotel. Two weeks later, the inspector returned and cited the hotel for 12 additional violations.

State records show the inspector, Tim Link, returned to the hotel on March 18 and cited the business for many of the same violations found earlier in the year, including worn carpet, damaged walls, broken window glass, dirty bathrooms, “a large amount of pest-control powder” behind a guest-room bed, peeling paint and several areas that were in need of a “thorough cleaning.”

“Pest control has treated entire premises once and will return,” Link wrote in his report. “Repairs of hallway walls has started, staff are removing garbage regularly. In speaking with owner by phone, he stated he plans to hire housekeeping staff.”

It’s not clear what the next steps are for the city. Link said Tuesday the hotel staff has made progress addressing some of the violations, but added that “I’m not done with them.”

Among the problems reported by Link in January and February were “infested rooms” that had not been adequately treated to eliminate infestations of roaches and bed bugs. Litter and garbage had accumulated in some of the hallways and guest rooms.

At that time, Link also indicated the Canfield Hotel had guests registered for weekly, biweekly and monthly stays — and he noted that those individuals were not receiving linen service or housekeeping services as required by regulations. The draperies in “many rooms” were reported to be visibly dirty, and the bedding for guest rooms was “not maintained clean,” Link stated in his report.

‘The guy is a real tool bag. Don’t answer your phone…’

On Feb. 24, the Iowa Capital Dispatch formally requested access to the city’s copies of its 2025 inspection reports, as well as all attachments and photos, that pertain to the Canfield Hotel.

In response, the city provided a Word document listing the violations found during the January inspection. It also sent the Capital Dispatch a link to access the requested photos, but the link indicates the photos are currently password protected.

The same day the Capital Dispatch made its record request, it called the Dubuque city health department to speak to Public Health Director Mary Rose Corrigan about enforcement efforts at the Canfield Hotel.

Administrative Assistant Connie Mueller said Corrigan was in a meeting and took a message. When Corrigan didn’t call back, the Capital Dispatch contacted Mueller and asked for Corrigan’s cell phone number, which Mueller eventually provided.

City records obtained through the Iowa Open Records Law show Mueller then texted Corrigan to complain she had been “bamboozled” by the reporter.

“He wanted to speak to you,” Mueller texted. “I said you were gone. He wanted your cell number and I told him no and he said if it’s a city-issued device that was public information. The guy is a real tool bag. Don’t answer your phone if (the reporter’s phone number) comes in on it.”

Corrigan responded: “He called me but I didn’t answer — he left a voice mail.”

Corrigan has not responded to subsequent calls from the Capital Dispatch.

State changes law to legalize less frequent inspections

In 2022, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing acknowledged that for the previous eight years, it had violated a law requiring the routine inspection of Iowa’s hotels and motels.

By law, the agency had been required to inspect all hotels within its jurisdiction at least once every two years. The department was instead conducting preopening inspections and complaint investigations, and any others were based on an agency risk assessment.

Last year, the Iowa Legislature approved, and the governor signed into law, legislation that codified the department’s long-standing practice. The bill repealed the requirement for biennial inspections at all hotels. Under current law, Iowa’s hotel and motel inspections are to be conducted “upon receipt of a verified complaint signed by a guest of a hotel.”