Gateway Hotel shut down; deemed unsafe to live after city inspections

The Gateway Hotel in Downtown El Paso has been closed down after being deemed unsafe to live by City inspectors.

City officials said they inspected the hotel about two weeks ago and then the follow-up inspection was Monday morning.

The final inspections with building services, fire department, health department, and the utility companies present found several hazards – including electrical, plumbing, and egress concerns. There also were problems with the fire protection systems, according to a City official speaking at an afternoon news conference.

Nearly all of the occupants have been contacted but there will be personnel standing by until all are accounted for.

All of the hotel’s occupants are being given directions for assistance with the homeless coalition and Adult Protective Services. The City also is partnering with the Rescue Mission, and various other local entities to help house those that are displaced.

In the next few days, the building’s occupants will be taken into the hotel to get their belongings.

ABC-7 first reported on concerns of conditions inside the Gateway Hotel on March 7. Watch the video at http://bit.ly/1i0OkFY

A fire spokesman told ABC-7 the hotel owners have been warned several times that the hotel is not up to code.

This is the same hotel ICE raided previously and prosecuted the owner for housing illegal immigrants.

People who lived here have been forced out during this multiple agency inspection.

One man describes what it’s like living inside the gateway hotel.

“It’s just like your normal hotel,” said Leland Wilkinson.

The only person who’s actually said the inside has terrible conditions is a woman who just arrived today.