Yonkers motel owner aims to change seedy reputation

A new owner is hoping to change the reputation of a Yonkers motel that was once closed down by the city for drugs and prostitution. The Yonkers Gateway Motel, previously known as the Yonkers Motor Inn,

News 12 Staff

Feb 27, 2008, 11:05 PM

Updated 5,910 days ago

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Yonkers motel owner aims to change seedy reputation
A new owner is hoping to change the reputation of a Yonkers motel that was once closed down by the city for drugs and prostitution.
The Yonkers Gateway Motel, previously known as the Yonkers Motor Inn, was a regular stop for police investigating drugs and prostitution until a new owner vowed to change things. Rob Gandhi says he's working hard to change the questionable reputation of the hotel that his family now owns.
However, Gandhi?s plans hit a snag this week after a crack cocaine bust, according to police. Yonkers police arrested 20-year-old Donte Melvin as he was leaving the hotel Tuesday night. Investigators say they found about 7 grams of street-bound crack cocaine on him.
Gandhi disputes the police?s claim of the arrest in his parking lot.
The city shutdown of what was the Yonkers Motor Inn in 2001 took place after 60 arrests for guns, drugs and prostitution. In 2003, Gandhi's family took over and implemented several changes to the hotel, including the installation of numerous surveillance cameras. Gandhi says he hopes the bad reputation the motel once had will change.


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