Councilman Steve Magre "Begging" for Economy Inn Cleanup

Councilman Magre calls on Mayor and others to embrace dramatic changes to shut down Economy Inn after Saturday night shooting. (photo courtesy of whas11.com)

In a Sunday press release, Louisville Metro Councilman Steve Magre (D-10) has called on Mayor Greg Fischer, LMPD Chief Steve Conrad, Buechel Fire Department Captain Richard Harrison, and Dr. Sarah Moyer, interim head of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, to actively get involved in the problems at the Economy Inn on Bardstown Road.

His call to action comes following a shooting at the Economy Inn on Saturday night around 8:00 pm. Antonio Polen, 29, was arrested late Saturday night and has confessed to shooting the victim multiple times with a handgun and still had the handgun in his possession. Police said the victim was taken to University Hospital in critical condition.

“Frankly the legislative tools are there to force the dramatic changes needed at this place even to the point of government being able to shut the business down. What is lacking is the administration taking its time to develop a full blown strategy. If this is developed and implemented then the owners will have no choice but to clean up their act for real,” said Magre.

Since taking office, Councilman Magre, along with neighborhood groups and others have voiced concerns about the conditions surrounding the Economy Inn and its impact on residents and businesses in the area. Magre is currently working on revising the city’s public nuisance ordinance with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office as a way to continue strict oversight of the problems at the facility. The  proposed changes to the ordinance will be announced soon.

In April, the owners of the Economy Inn were given the go ahead to continue operation after passing a Health Department inspection  on the promise of continued improvements.

“If they continue to be given only piecemeal oversight then they will continue with the latitudes that have allowed them to operate in a way that creates fear. I am tired of knowing that my constituents who live nearby, and other business people who work close must live and work in this part of our city with constant concern. And it has evolved to a point that all such people have reason for true fear,” says Magre.

The Councilman cited a recent investigative report by Insider Louisville which highlighted a former employee coming forth with documents to show evidence of human trafficking and underage prostitution at the Economy Inn. She also claimed many of the promises made that led to passing inspection have not been made.

“I honestly thought the gaining of a firsthand account would wake key people up to the need to clean up the EI right now. The guts shown by Angel Bennett fell on a lot of deaf ears. Apparently the only option left is for a sworn official representing the district to beg. So I beg,” says Magre.