10/17/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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Motel board reaffirms city’s move to shut down crime-ridden Indy East
Indianapolis – A local motel license review board has reaffirmed the city’s decision to revoke the operating license of the crime-ridden Indy East motel. The decision, Mayor Bart Peterson said, is a victory in the ongoing push to shut down the troubled motel located at 5855 E. Washington St.
Over the last several years, the Indy East has become a haven for crime and blight. The Indianapolis Police Department (IPD) has made more than 900 runs to the motel since 2001, including an average last year of nearly one run every other day.
In May, Mayor Peterson announced that the city had revoked the Indy East’s operating license. The motel’s owners then appealed the decision to the city’s motel license review board, which heard the case yesterday.
“This motel has become a breeding ground for criminal activity, and the board’s ruling should send another strong message to owners that our community will not stand by and watch this crime den impede on the continued resurgence of the city’s east side.” Mayor Peterson said.
Under city code, the city controller licenses hotels and motels. The law requires motel owners and operators to not permit illegal activity to take place on their property and to maintain a business that does not create a nuisance or negatively impact public welfare.
In May, the city controller revoked the Indy East’s license based on evidence gathered by the controller’s office and testimony heard during a public licensing hearing held in February.
The city will now push forward in court to request that a court-ordered stay be lifted to clear the way for the closure of the motel.
The Indy East is one of several local problem motels that have been shut down, demolished or forced to make repairs and improvements:
- Drake Motel. Last year, another troubled Eastside motel, the Drake, was demolished by a private developer to make way for a new retail center after the city and residents pressured motel owners to clean up their act. The Drake was cited for dozens of code violations and received more than 140 total runs in two years by local police and fire departments.
- Citizen’s Lodge. In 2001, the city closed down and eventually demolished the crime-ridden motel on the city’s near-Northeast side. Citizen’s Lodge had been the number one criminal hotspot for IPD.
- Dollar Inn. Also in 2001, the city shut down a Southside Dollar Inn -- which was rife with building, fire and health code violations -- until it was brought back up to code, and reached an agreement with owners to fix-up all nine Dollar Inn locations in Indianapolis.
- American Inn. In 2002, owners of the troubled Northside motel agreed to cease operations and demolish the buildings after months of intense city scrutiny.
- USA Inn. After the motel had closed in 2001, the city stopped the sale of this troubled motel to an out-of-state buyer who had a questionable history with these types of motels.
- Speedway motels. In March, the city and the Town of Speedway coordinated a code enforcement sweep to crack down on two problem motels on Indianapolis’ west side.
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