Judge decides to dissolve restraining order against Economy Inn

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — After hours of testimony, a Hamilton County Criminal Court judge decided to dissolve the restraining order against the Economy Inn. Residents will be able to move back in, but the owner will have to make some changes.

On Monday, the owner of the Economy Inn was in court for a hearing to see if the extended stay motel will be demeaned a public nuisance after the place was boarded up last week.

“It became a familiar location for various calls, disorders, the things that came out regular. It became common place to the point where 5505, you heard it on the radio, you automatically had to officers en route,” said Officer Ayriel Novak, with the Chattanooga Police Department.

The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office says over the past two years officers responded to hundreds of criminal calls.

“Anything from disorders to fight calls, to domestic violence, overdoses, drug calls, public intoxication,” said Sergeant Kendon Massengale, with the Chattanooga Police Department.

City code enforcement inspectors described the conditions of the rooms when they were there February 14, when the motel was padlocked.

“I observed bed bugs in some of the rooms. I observed hole in the walls and broken plumbing fixtures and toilets,” said Zach Wiley, a codes enforcement inspector with the city.

Current employees say there used to be a lot of issues, but when Janice Hixson bought the property in 2015, they say it improved.

“We did have a couple of gang members staying there, but once she purchased the property. She cleaned house,” an office manager for the motel said.

Hixson says she was never notified about the problems. She says she would work to address the problems.

“The first thing I would do is go holler at my guys. The next thing I would do is hire security to see what is actually going on,” Hixson said.

She says it has been hard for her residents after the business was boarded up..

“We would do whatever it took to keep the people safe,” Hixson said.

Judge Tom Greenholtz says some of the changes Hixson has to make include improving security.

There will be a status hearing on June 8 to discuss the progress.