ARLINGTON -- A dilapidated north-side hotel known for years of crime and code violations was granted a reprieve Thursday from being bulldozed by the city.
After a brief hearing, Arlington Municipal Judge Stewart Milner agreed to give the State Bank of Texas, the lienholder on the three-story American Inn & Suites, 1181 N. Watson Road, 30 days to show how it plans to bring the long-vacant hotel up to code.In February, the court declared it dangerous and gave owner Nilam Patel and the bank 60 days to demolish the hotel or correct a long list of violations, including a leaking roof, mold, hazardous plumbing and electrical problems. The hotel had its certificate of occupancy revoked in 2008 for chronic crime and code violations."It is a problem, and it has been a problem," Milner said, adding that he was leery of granting even more time to correct problems that have been known for years. "I, along with the city, am just really at this point frustrated with the lack of moving forward on this property."A hearing has been set for June 18.Without the extension, the city could have torn down the hotel or levied civil penalties against Patel. But he has stopped making mortgage payments, so at Thursday's hearing, the bank requested more time to protect its asset, including the $1.4 million that he owes the bank, said Randy Agnew, an attorney for the bank.Multiple citationsThe city and state have been fighting with Patel for years.In 2007, the Texas attorney general's office filed nuisance lawsuits against the owners of American Inn & Suites and the Arlington Inn, threatening to shut down both if they did not correct chronic violations.Arlington had been fighting to clean up drug activity, prostitution and other serious violations at the two Watson Road hotels for years, even placing electronic signs nearby warning visitors that they were in a high-crime area.In late 2007, the city demolished the fire-damaged Arlington Inn and forced Patel to close his 113-unit hotel for compliance issues. The Municipal Court ordered Patel to pay nearly $20,000 in fines and fees for housing and fire code violations.But the problems didn't end, said Brian Daugherty, community services supervisor. City crews have had to secure doors and windows numerous times to keep children from a nearby apartment complex and vagrants out of the unsafe building."It's been a very bad ongoing issue," Daugherty said. "Every time we go out there, there's someone in it."In July 2010, the hotel was damaged by fire. The city has issued 62 citations for violations there since 2008, he said."It's been in this condition for a while now, and he hasn't done any repairs at all," Daugherty said.Decreasing valueThe hotel, built in 1985, is worth nearly $1.7 million, according to an appraiser for the city. But it needs an estimated $1.6 million in repairs and renovations to meet minimum code requirements to reopen. The city estimates that demolition would cost $200,000."It is an option we could possibly pursue," Daugherty said.On April 26, Patel requested a hearing for an extension, telling the city he hoped to secure a buyer and needed "extra time for finance and legal paperwork."According to Patel, investors have expressed interest in redeveloping the site, a gateway to Arlington's growing entertainment district, but no plans have moved forward. The property no longer meets zoning regulations for the entertainment district, which requires full-service hotels to offer amenities such as a restaurant and conference space.This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.Susan Schrock, 817-709-7578Twitter: @susanschrockHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
