BETHANY — The owner of the historic Western Motel along State Highway 66 said he may try to fight the city's attempts to close his business.
Advertisement
The city council Tuesday night passed a resolution declaring the motel, 7600 NW 39 Expressway, a public nuisance.
The resolution, passed unanimously, asks city attorney David Davis to file a civil action in Oklahoma County District Court asking that the motel be shut down. Davis said police have investigated complaints of prostitution and illegal drugs at the motel.
Ken Patel, the motel owner, said before the Tuesday meeting that the city has tried to buy the motel from him, but he said he was not told the council planned to declare it a public nuisance. He said he does not know of any illegal drug investigations at the motel.
"No one told me," Patel said. "We can't close the business. It's not fair."
Patel said he has owned the motel since 1981. The motel was originally built in 1953, Oklahoma County Assessor's records show.
On Wednesday, Patel said he had no further comment.
Police Chief Neal Troutman said officers have investigated complaints of prostitution at the motel this year.
In April, motel manager Kantilal Patel, 67, no relation to Ken Patel, was charged with felony counts of offering to engage in prostitution and aiding and abetting prostitution after being arrested by police at the motel.
An undercover operation involving Bethany and Oklahoma City police included a "confidential informant" who posed as a prostitute at the motel, according to documents filed in Oklahoma County District Court.
Court papers allege the informant paid for a motel room and then offered the manager sex for $20.
Kantilal Patel's next court date is Dec. 15, when he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing, court records show.
Kantilal Patel's son, Raju Patel, is also a manager at the motel. He said his father was set up because the city wants to take over the motel.
"Somebody wanted this land," Raju Patel said. "Something is wrong here."
The Western Motel sign at 7600 39th Expressway in Bethany has been a fixture along the road, also State Highway 66, since 1953. The city council has now declared the motel a public nuisance. By Robert Medley, The Oklahoman
