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Midvale businesses, tenants urge action on crime and safety near Motel 6; council points to grant help
Summary
Property owners and business operators near Catalpa and Millennium Way told the Midvale City Council they face drug activity and homelessness near a Motel 6 and asked for lighting, cameras and a designated pickup/drop-off zone; city staff said mitigation grants are available for affected businesses.
Owners and tenants of new Midvale commercial buildings near Catalpa Street and Millennium Way urged the City Council on April 1 to help address drug activity, homeless encampment and safety concerns at the Motel 6 across the street.
Levi Ernest, property manager and part owner of the LLC that developed the commercial block, said his tenants have reported drug deals and people sleeping behind buildings. He asked the city to help with patrols and said property owners are exploring lighting and surveillance cameras to protect new tenants.
Darla Day, owner of Ares Aerial Arts (represented at the meeting by manager Dani Doane), said parents and staff feel unsafe after witnessing law-enforcement raids near the motel and prostitution in the area. Day read a letter asking the city to consider a permanent pickup and drop-off lane in front of the studio during peak hours — suggested hours were 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays — and to explore measures to “beautify” the corridor and reduce criminal activity.
“We have parents that want to shop, eat, and have something to do during their kids’ classes,” the letter said, asking the city to “help in any way we can.” Day said studio staff had implemented a temporary pickup/drop-off line to protect children, and asked the city to make such an arrangement permanent if possible.
Council members and staff acknowledged the difficulty of shutting down a business simply because of complaints but said the city can offer other tools. Mayor Dustin Gettle said the city has grant money available to help businesses impacted by nearby shelter- or motel-related activity and asked staff to connect property owners with those resources.
Later in the meeting, Erin (city staff) reported on a pilot reimbursement grant program using state mitigation funds to help businesses within a half-mile radius of the shelter. Erin said the program allowed ten $20,000 grants (total $20K each) targeted to security cameras, lighting and fencing; multiple businesses have applied and several grants are fully executed or in progress.
Council members suggested enforcement and parental coaching on pickup/drop-off behavior both play a role, and they asked staff to follow up with the property owner and tenants about grant eligibility and other mitigation measures. No ordinance or land-use action was taken at the meeting; the comments were part of the public-comment portion of the agenda.
