The owner of Home 1 Great Stay, the motel formerly known as the Gold Rush Inn, is scheduled to appear before the Jacksonville Public Nuisance Abatement Board on April 27 to defend against accusations that the motel presents a danger to the community.

Police are speaking with witnesses during the ongoing investigation.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s now easier for the city of Jacksonville to shut down problem hotels and businesses that allow crimes to continue on their property. It all stems from a hotel on Harts Road, the Gold Rush Inn, which was closed by the city in December. In order to do that, the city had to go to the state to get an order to shut the business down, because local laws would not allow the city to force the business to close, despite ongoing reports of criminal activity. Those laws changed Tuesday night when the City Council voted to form a new board that will oversee criminal complaints at businesses. After review by the sheriff’s office, the nuisance abatement board could take action if the owner does not fix the problem and get rid of criminal elements.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Time’s up for guests of a troubled Jacksonville motel. Monday was the deadline for those staying at the Gold Rush Inn on Harts Road to move out. In closing the motel, the state cited several health and safety issues. According to the state order, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has received nearly 200 calls for service to the motel in the last three months alone. As part of the shutdown, the motel isn’t allowed to book any new guests until the health and public safety issues have been adequately addressed.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – People staying at the Gold Rush Inn on Harts Road were caught off guard Wednesday when news broke the state was shutting the motel down. He said he is getting help in the form of a $1,200 voucher from the city. City and state officials say they did the right thing due to the unsafe conditions. Gaffney promised to help residents who find themselves displaced, though concrete details weren’t immediately released. But according to the city, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and city services teams have been on-site, working with residents to figure out their options.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – City Councilman Reggie Gaffney is renewing his call for the Gold Rush Inn on Harts Road to be closed after a shooting there on Sunday evening. “I go to bed praying every night that nothing happens on Harts Road at this hotel,” Gaffney said. “They have reached out to the sheriff they have reached out to the city,” Gaffney said of the response by the Department of Business Professional Regulation. News4Jax went door-to-door and called asking to speak with the managers of the three hotels on Harts Road: the Gold Rush Inn, the River City Inn and the Red Roof Inn. JSO says they killed each other when an argument escalated, later saying a 26-year old man killed Dario Martinez in self-defense.