Progress made at ‘dangerous’ vacant downtown hotel – KHOU

For the first time in decades, progress is being made in cleaning up the abandoned Days Inn hotel near downtown Houston.

Matt Dougherty , KHOU 6:27 PM. CDT August 08, 2017

Nearly one month later, progress has been made on almost all of the citys stipulations for the abandoned former Days Inn hotel downtown, except for the 24-hour security guard. (Photo: KHOU)

HOUSTON - Obvious progress has been made nearly one month after KHOU 11 News first started asking questions about downtowns most dangerous building.

The abandoned and vacant former Days Inn hotel located on 801 St. Joseph Parkway has been an eyesore for residents and visitors alike for nearly two decades.

Related:Exclusive look inside 'dangerous' vacant downtown hotel

Houstonians doing business in downtown told KHOU 11 News the building had become a hazard with falling shards of broken glass and a place that attracted crime.

City code enforcement officials gave the owners a three-week timeline to secure entry points into the property, cover up all visible graffiti, remove all broken windows from the building and hire a round-the-clock security guard to supervise the property.

Nearly one month later, progress has been made on almost all of the citys stipulations, except for the 24-hour security guard.

Enforcement is a useful tool the city will continue to use to make Houston as livable and safe as ever, said Houstons public works and enforcement spokeswoman,Alanna Reed, in an e-mailed statement. But punishment is not the goal.Compliance is. In this case the owner is making efforts to comply, and city departments will continue to work with the owner and monitor the case until we get the final result that the public deserves.

Passersby in downtown Tuesday did not seem to share the optimistic sentiments of the city.

Well, they need to renovate it or tear it down, Ed Welch said. Im not so sure it can be renovated, so lets implode it.

The propertys owners could not be reached by Tuesday evening. In previous interviews, the owners said they had been approved by the parent company of Holiday Inn to construct an $85 million hotel.

The former Days Inn remains at the top of the citys most-dangerous downtown buildings list.

Photos: Exclusive look inside 'dangerous' vacant downtown hotel

2017 KHOU-TV

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Progress made at 'dangerous' vacant downtown hotel - KHOU