EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A 90-day injunction has been officially signed by an El Paso judge and the County Attorney’s Office can move forward with efforts to shut down a Downtown hotel it says is a nuisance and a hotbed of criminal activity and drug use.
District Court Judge Maria Salas-Mendoza signed the injunction. There will be a hearing on a permanent injunction on Dec. 9, according to the order.
The County Attorney’s Office is seeking to shut down the Gateway Hotel, 104 S. Stanton St.
The hotel is alleged to be a “common nuisance” and a place where “habitual” criminal activity happens, according to a lawsuit against the hotel filed by the State of Texas and the County Attorney’s Office.
Under the judge’s order, occupants of building have until 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 to vacate the building. The County Attorney’s Office says it is working with non-government organizations to help residents find housing.
Under the order, the lobby must made available for volunteers from organizations to post notices and offer services to residents such as help for finding housing.
The Fire Department and City code enforcement inspectors must also be allowed access to inspect the premises anytime on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Law enforcement must also be given the ability to cut power and utilities to the building starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, according to the order.
Within 45 days of the order, the owners of the hotel must pay court costs of about $380 and pay a bond of $10,000 to El Paso County, according to the order.
Before operating a business again at the site, owners must pass an inspection from the El Paso Fire Department, fix any issues found by the City of El Paso related to “structural, health, sanitation or safety of the property,” and apply for a new building.
The owners must also pay a fine of $5,000 before operating a business there again and support efforts to stop illegal activities, according to the judge’s order.
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