Trial date set for America’s Best

America’s Best Value Inn & Suites owners have filed a lawsuit against the City of Homewood in response to the City Council’s decision to not renew the hotel’s business license for 2014. 

The suit, filed March 21 in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, claims the City “acted arbitrarily and capriciously by denying the renewal” of the business license. A temporary restraining order issued by Judge Helen Shores Lee is allowing the hotel to stay in business until its June 9 trial. 

According to a report compiled by the Homewood Police Department and City Clerk Linda Cook, the hotel has been the location for 148 arrests and 241 reported offenses since June 2011. Among those, the report lists 35 arrests of wanted fugitives, 20 arrests related to prostitution, 33 drug arrest or arrests related to drug use, two suicides and one homicide.

The City Council has conducted multiple executive sessions to discuss the suit, but has released no information since revoking the hotel’s license.