Columbus hotel with history of drugs and violence declared public nuisance
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Shayla D. Favor announced on August 13 a joint lawsuit against a west side hotel with a detailed history of drug activity, violence, and other criminal conduct.
Over 300 calls have been reported by Columbus Police and Fire regarding The Rodeway Inn, located at 1313 W. St. James Lutheran Ln., for a series of criminal activities, from robberies to sexual assault, since June 2024.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has received numerous tips regarding narcotic activity at the hotel, documenting half a dozen narcotics offenses and confiscating illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia since December 2025, including methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. Additionally, since March 2024, the Franklin County Coroner has documented three drug overdose deaths at the hotel property.
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In March 2026, the FCSO sent a warning letter to the owner, informing him of a litany of criminal and drug activity and his duty to address the issues and clean up the property—or face legal consequences. Klein and Favor are seeking to declare the property a public nuisance and hold the owners accountable for on-site criminal activity, as well as deteriorating conditions and health and safety code violations that the owners have been slow to address.
“Hotel operators are held to a high standard in Columbus,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. “If an operator allows drugs and crime to fester and code violations pile up, they will find themselves in court, and if appropriate, see their hotel license revoked and business shut down. The safety of guests and visitors to our city remains a top priority.”
As of early August, the hotel remained out of compliance, and a preliminary injunction hearing was held on August 19.
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