2 Aurora Avenue Hotels Closed After Battle With City

Two motels on Aurora Avenue in Seattle are closed Monday after a long legal battle with the city.

The Isabella and Italia were shut down after the city filed 152 criminal charges involving a total of five motels in that area.

The manager of the Marco Polo Motel across the street said he thinks the closures will improve the neighborhood.

“I don't think it came soon enough. I think the management has really been a blemish in the neighborhood for a really long time,” said motel manager Jonathan Marshall.

The city said police, who were frequently called to those hotels, often found drugs in the rooms.