Sep. 25--ARLINGTON -- The opening of Cowboys Stadium is helping Arlington get rid of a motel that city officials have said was the site of chronic prostitution and drug problems.

A Las Vegas developer plans a $20 million renovation of the 92-room American Inn at 1181 N. Watson Road. On adjacent property, where another troubled motel once stood, the developer plans to add 100 rooms, a banquet facility and a restaurant, a real estate agent said.

"Even in the middle of a recession, I am getting inquiries from around the world on these properties directly due to the buzz of the new stadium," said Ken Arnold, the broker hired to sell the property. "This site is unique because not only is it situated between the new stadium and D/FW Airport, it has great visibility and easy access to two major highways."

Arnold declined to discuss the details of the project or reveal the developer's name.

The two properties, near Avenue J and the southbound access road to Texas 360, are in an area considered to be the northern gateway to the entertainment district.

Three years ago, city officials began trying to force the American Inn and the Arlington Inn, at 1195 N. Watson Road, to address crime problems or close. In 2006, Arlington police placed a large electronic sign in front of the motels warning visitors to be cautious in the area.

Crime statistics show that during the 80 days before and after the installation of the sign, police calls in the area declined nearly 50 percent, Arlington police said. Serious crimes dropped 50 percent and drug-related offenses fell by 70 percent, police said.

Meanwhile, a team of police, fire and building inspectors tried to address problems at both properties. After repeated attempts to reduce crime, the Texas attorney general's office sued the owners in 2007, saying the motels were havens for drugs, prostitution and other crimes.

The owners of the Arlington Inn decided to raze their property in 2007 after fire inspectors deemed the stairwells unsafe and closed the top two floors. Nick Patel, owner of the American Inn, continued to operate. The owners of the properties could not be reached for comment.

Patel has been issued more than 30 Class C misdemeanor citations and has paid nearly $25,000 in fines related to the motel's condition, city officials said. Violations included a cloudy swimming pool, hazardous wiring, failure to call 911 to report a fire in a room and missing smoke detectors.

The numerous citations allowed the city to revoke the motel's certificate of occupancy late last year. A fence with strips of yellow caution tape tangled in it now surrounds the American Inn.

A 2007 ordinance prohibited the building of motels in the entertainment district, but the city allows full-service hotels that include a full kitchen, a conference room and other amenities.

Councilman Mel LeBlanc, whose district includes the two properties, said the increased enforcement has drastically changed the area.

"I would hear from mothers who had to take their kids to school in the morning say they shouldn't have to see that type of activity," LeBlanc said. "Occasionally you may see someone out looking for trouble but not like it was before."

NATHANIEL JONES, 817-390-7635

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