Louisville seeks to close Bardstown Road hotel with ‘history of failed inspections’

The Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness is moving to close a hotel on Bardstown Road, causing some permanent residents there to vacate with little notice.

Kentucky Health and Family Services Cabinet suspends furloughs Budgetel Inn & Suites on Nov. 11 at 3304 Bardstown Road, according to an email from an employee. Louisville Metro Social Services Office Obtained by The Courier Journal.

In response to a request for more information, health department spokeswoman Kathy Turner said the city requested the suspension “after past failed inspections,” including the last four inspections at the hotel.

“The business has the right to appeal the permit suspension,” Turner said via email. “They are allowed to continue operating during the appeal process.”

An earlier email had been sent to the Department of Social Services by a public health worker, notifying them of the impending closure and requesting assistance for permanent residents. It is unknown at this time how many people are staying at the property for an extended period of time.

“I apologize for the extremely short notice, we did not expect the State to act this quickly,” the email from the public health worker said. “I know there are a lot of guests who live there permanently who will need resources.”

The Office of Social Services requested collaboration with multiple local advocacy groups to assist in the evacuation of those affected by the notices. According to the email, the hotel has 187 rooms that accommodate many long-term guests.

Louisville Vulnerable Outreach Director David Smillie said closing the hotel would put a strain on a system that was already at its limit. Louisville is also under a white flag advisory starting Nov. 11, which will go into effect if the city experiences extreme weather and has an increase in available shelter beds.

“I don’t think any of us are naive,” Smillie said. “I am confident that the city has public health and wellness reasons to take this action.”

“But another version of harm reduction is thrown out the window when it comes to mass removals of people,” Smillie continued. “There is already a shortage of shelter beds in our city.”

Budgetel is not the only hotel that has been ordered to close in recent months. In September, the Louisville Manor Motel was ordered to close its doors indefinitely due to public concerns and documented incidents of theft, assault and drug-related activity on the property.

The Bardstown Road hotel previously avoided closure in 2015. Operated as Economy Inn. City officials issued a statement saying they intended to suspend the permit in November of that year after it failed a health department inspection. However, ultimately the hotel was allowed. continue working after making improvementsAccording to previous reporting by the Courier Journal.

Residents Morgan Haynes and Laquon Jefferson said the hotel has improved in cleanliness and amenities since they lived there in 2015. Jefferson said there are no more bedbugs, there is better management and some rooms even have whirlpool tubs.

When they have money, the couple rents a room in a motel, sometimes staying for weeks, sometimes just days. When they don’t have $70 for a night’s stay or $300 for a week, they live out of their car.

“This is going to affect a lot of people,” Jefferson said. “There’s a lot of homeless people, a lot of people coming from downtown because it’s the cheapest room in Louisville.”

This story will be updated.

Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or follow her on X at @keely_doll. Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.

This article first appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville plans to close Budgetel Inn & Suites on Bardstown Road