Fort Worth Motel: 591 Police Calls End in Demolition

Police officers responded to the Central Motel on East Lancaster Road in Fort Worth 591 times since 2024. The building, known locally for its high volume of criminal activity, was demolished on Wednesday, October 28.

The property owners, led by Haribhai Patel, arranged and funded the teardown. They worked directly with city officials to finalize the plan. This action resolved a lawsuit the city filed against Patel in July. The legal dispute was dropped once the owners committed to removing the structure.

The demolition followed an investigation by the city’s Nuisance Enforcement Task Force. This group identifies properties that drain resources and host persistent crime. In the case of the Central Motel, a Code Compliance inspection found 123 violations across its 22 rooms. Inspectors flagged substandard building conditions and specific safety concerns.

The police log for the site included 80 narcotics cases, multiple weapons offenses, aggravated assaults, and prostitution offenses. Two murders and one arson occurred at the property in 2025. Donna Nickerson, who owns a business near the former site, described the location as a hub for drug activity and crime.

Oscar Reyes, the Code Compliance Superintendent for the City of Fort Worth, outlined the city’s stance on such properties. "We want them to be accountable, we want them to take the lead on this, but if they don’t, then we’ll come in and use all the tools that are afforded to us and choose demolition if we need to," Reyes said.

Residents watched the building collapse from nearby streets. Some drivers slowed their vehicles to observe. Pastor Vernon Elisher, who witnessed the event, said he turned his car around to thank the person who made it happen. "When I passed by and seen it, I had to turn around because I want to thank the person who made this happen," Elisher stated.

The task force has identified six additional problem properties for future action. The goal is to improve neighborhoods and address sites that remain concerns for residents. Patel retains ownership of the land where the motel once stood. The future use of that lot is not yet determined.