LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A motel on Dixie Highway in Shively with a history of police calls and crime has been ordered to shut down immediately.

Louisville Manor Motel appealed a recent order to vacate, but at a hearing on Wednesday, Louisville's Code Board ruled against the motel and officials were on scene within about an hour to shut it down and clear the property. 

Shively Police and authorities with Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations removed anyone "currently residing in or utilizing the motel" by that afternoon. Crews began boarding up the building once everyone was cleared from the property. 

Codes and Regulations said the immediate closure includes everything on the motel property, including an adult bookstore and theater.

In September, the motel was given days to close down after it was issued a notice of criminal activity nuisance. In other words, police had been called there too many times.

Shively Police told WDRB that it had received more than 200 calls for service to that address since the beginning of the year, including runs for allegations of prostitution, overdose deaths, vehicle thefts, drug deals, narcotics, assaults, violent situations and someone aimlessly firing a gun in the parking lot.

Shively Police said earlier this summer, they attempted to work with the motel on improvements such as stopping cash payments and increasing lighting in the parking lot, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

During the hearing Wednesday, Ciara Warren with Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness said the Louisville Manor Motel recently failed multiple health department inspections. 

"They scored a 53, which is well below passing score," said Warren, referencing an inspection last month. "... there were multiple violations in every room. Sanitation, safety hazards." 

Cody Hutchinson, pastor at Shively Christian Church, which is just down the road from the motel, was at the hearing and said "it's a good day" to see it shut down. 

"When someone comes to us needing a place to stay, we will almost always send the down the road. There has never been a time we've ever recommended Louisville Manor because of their reputation, the shady activity, the stuff we see," Hutchinson said. 

He said in the past, the church has tried to provide prayer, hygiene items and water to those at the motel, but "it kind of felt like that there was no desire to have a church present," according to Hutchinson.

Shively Police Sgt. Jordan Brown said he felt the testimony at Wednesday's hearing highlighted issues police have dealt with at the motel for years.

"Our intention is never to shut down a business but our mission and our task is to ensure the safety of the community and the wellbeing of our residents. At the end of the day, if it comes to having to shut down a business to ensure that, then that's unfortunately what we have to do," said Brown. 

This closure may or may not be permanent. Nader Shunnarah, the attorney representing Louisville Manor, said he plans to appeal the decision. In a phone call, he told WDRB News that he does not believe Metro has the right to order to vacate and said this is putting the responsibility of public safety in the hands of businesses.

Codes and Regulations said if there is an appeal filed, the closure will stay in effect until the court makes a decision. A $2,000 fine has also been issued to be paid to Louisville Metro Government.

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