Owensboro motel owner tells commissioners homelessness is hurting West End businesses

Nicholas Pavlas, owner of the Cadillac Motel and a West End property owner, told the Owensboro Board of Commissioners during open public forum that homelessness in the neighborhood is affecting his ability to operate.

"Right now, we cannot operate," Pavlas said, describing repeated incidents in which people were asking for money outside a restaurant, rooms were rented and then forcibly occupied, doors were kicked in and tenants threatened. "I carry a gun walking around my property...something needs to be done," he told the commission.

The mayor opened the forum by reminding speakers to state their name and address for the clerk's record and noting comments on non‑agenda items require no staff or board response. Pavlas said he sympathizes with people experiencing homelessness but urged action to protect businesses and residents in the West End. No formal staff response or immediate action was recorded on the issue during the meeting.

Sheila Crow, president of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, later thanked the city for permitting and supporting the Groovin' on the Green event and recognized volunteer contributions to community programming.