5/10/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-6709 |
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Mayor’s crackdown on problem motels continues; City moves to shut down crime-ridden Indy East
INDIANAPOLIS - Flanked by Eastside community leaders, Mayor Bart Peterson today stood in front of the troubled Indy East motel and announced that the city has revoked its license for operation. The city has given owners until next Wednesday, May 17, to close the 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.
"Innocent families, law-abiding citizens and healthy businesses should not have to be subjected to public nuisances like the Indy East," Mayor Peterson said. "This motel has become a breeding ground for criminal activity and a detriment to strong, healthy neighborhoods. We will not stand by and watch this crime den impede on the continued resurgence of the city’s Eastside."
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.
At the request of the Mayor, the controller revoked the Indy East’s license this week based on evidence and testimony obtained by the office and at a public licensing hearing held in February.
"The closure of the Indy East Motel will be another positive step forward for the Irvington community," said Brian Mack, Irvington Community Council Vice-President. "Our neighborhood is making tremendous progress in bringing new business and investment to East Washington Street, and the crime-ridden Indy East has been a detriment to those efforts."
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. Earlier this year, the Drake, another troubled Eastside motel 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. Then 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’ Westside.
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