LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The owners of the troubled Economy Inn on Bardstown Road have been given 30 days to clean up before their license is suspended.
City leaders say the motel must pass an inspection to stay open, but the general manager says he's already making improvements.
Rodent infestations and missing smoke detectors are just a few problems heath officials say are prevalent at the motel. It has failed multiple inspections in the last few years.
"We're licensing a business that is a sham," said Councilman Steve Magre.
Magre calls the crime-ridden motel a public safety concern.
"Those people really get hopped up and they do crazy things," he said. Officials say drug dealers, drug addicts and prostitutes frequent the motel.
But general manager Kelly Kado told WDRB those problems no longer exist.
"We don't have no more drug dealers here. We don't have prostitution here. We don't have these activities anymore," he said.
The city is giving motel managers 30 more days to clean up and make necessary repairs.
"Really it's smoke detectors, cleanness, toilets, tubs, things like that," said Kado.
If the motel doesn't pass inspection on April 20th, its permit will be suspended.
Kado says they're already in the process of renovating.
"We're going to repair everything possible. Everything possible from A to Z. Renovate -- going to be 100 percent," he said.
Kado said they have the money in the bank and are ready to put it back in to the motel.
Kado says they must stay open for the customers. The motel has long-term residents. Some have been living there more than a year.
"They financially low income, they homeless some of them, some of the veterans, they can't go nowhere," he said.
Economy Inn resident Duane Turner lives there with his wife and kids.
"Any place is better than no place," he said.
When asked if he feels safe living there, Turner said, "of course I do. There's surveillance cameras everywhere."
But Councilman Magre disagrees. "Any place is better," he said.
The motel received a 76 in its most recent inspection. It has to get that number up to 86 in order to stay open.
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