Fort Worth crews started demolishing the three‑building Central Motel on East Lancaster Avenue on Friday, marking the city’s inaugural demolition under the NET Force initiative. The program brings together police, code‑enforcement and other municipal departments to target properties that have become hubs for illegal activity and persistent code violations.

Why the motel was targeted

Neighborhood businesses and residents had complained for years about the motel’s condition. Police records show hundreds of incidents linked to the site, including prostitution, illegal drug activity and a homicide. Officer Jentry Cotton explained that officers responded to the property on a weekly basis, working with narcotics, vice and patrol units to address the ongoing problems.

“We’ve been out here on a weekly basis, working with police division patrol, working with narcotics, working our vice unit,” Cotton said.

Code violations and legal action

City code‑enforcement officials documented 123 violations across the motel’s three buildings, ranging from structural deficiencies to health‑safety concerns. Earlier this summer, the city filed a lawsuit against the owners for failing to correct the violations. The owners later agreed to fund the demolition in exchange for the city dropping the suit.

“The owner was not in control of the property; the criminals were on the property selling drugs out of the room,” Cotton added.

Community response

Local business owners expressed relief as demolition began. Fourkan Ubaid of Metro Car Service, located nearby, said the removal of the motel makes the area feel safer. “Right now, we feel way safer and better,” Ubaid said, noting past problems with damaged vehicles and broken windows at adjacent offices.

NET Force program expands

The Central Motel demolition is the first of what officials expect to be several actions under NET Force. City code‑enforcement superintendent Oscar Reyes said at least six additional properties—including other motels, shopping centers and apartment complexes—are slated for enforcement in the next phase.

“We want them to be accountable. We want them to take the lead on this,” Reyes said. He added that some properties already targeted have come into compliance, while others have been closed.

Reyes warned that if owners continue to ignore violations, the city will use all available tools, including demolition, to protect neighborhoods. “We’ll come in and use all the tools that are afforded to us to bring it through to demolition, if we need to,” he said.

Looking ahead

Fort Worth’s NET Force initiative reflects a broader effort by municipalities to address problem properties that attract criminal activity and degrade community quality of life. By coordinating law‑enforcement, code‑enforcement and legal resources, the city aims to restore safety and property values for residents and businesses alike.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.