.jpg)
The Canal Street Hotel
NEW ORLEANS – The Canal Street hotel where a woman was shot and killed earlier this week has been ordered by a judge to close down.
Civil District Court Judge Michael Bagneris ruled that the hotel was not only a public nuisance, but also violated mechanical and electrical codes.
The shutdown order comes after the city requested the hotel be closed after the subsequent murder of 20-year-old Kenyra Johnson who was cut down on the hotel’s fourth floor Tuesday night, after an unknown gunman shot her in the abdomen.
The New Orleans Police department considered the Canal Street Hotel a scene of murder, drugs and other illegal transactions.
According to Kurt Weigle of the Downtown Development District, this was not the first time the hotel was asked to close. “The property did go to court to get a temporary restraining order until they could have a hearing to deal with the code violatons," Weigle said.
At the time the court did grant the hotel's request and allowed them to stay open.
The Hotel which was full at the time when the judge ordered it closed, housed everyone from permanent residents to concert goers in town for Essence Festival.
"Everyone is going to have to find other places to go," said George Barker, who was staying at the Canal Street Hotel. "I can tell you the homeless shelters are going to be full."
City Attorney Nolan Lombard said when the violations are resolved and the building is no longer considered a nuisance, the hotel will be allowed to reopen.
A second hearing in this matter is scheduled in Civil Court for July 10.
Comments