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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe city of Indianapolis wants to shut down a far south-side hotel and has filed a lawsuit against it owners to start the process.
Sean Bruske of Upland, Calif., and Indianapolis-based not-for-profit Reuse America Inc., owners of the Traveler’s Inn at 602 E. Thompson Road, face public nuisance charges and are accused of operating without a proper business license, as required by city ordinance.
The suit, filed on Monday, said that since July 2008 city police have made more than 1,200 runs to the hotel to respond to criminal, public safety and nuisance complaints.
“The activities that occur at Traveler’s Inn demonstrate the motel’s inability to operate a responsible business and provide a safe environment for overnight guests,” said Helen Marchal, a city prosecutor, in a written statement. “These property owners have created a public nuisance by allowing their property to become a hot spot for crime.”
Charles Shafer, a board member for Reuse America, told local TV station Fox59 that his group acquired the property last year and has turned it into an affordable extended-stay hotel for low-income families. He said police calls have fallen to almost zero since the group added 24-hour security in March.
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