Fort Worth is taking one of East Lancaster Avenue's most notorious motels to court, accusing it of becoming such a crime magnet that it is dragging down the whole corridor.
The city filed a lawsuit Tuesday asking a judge to declare the Central Motel a common nuisance, arguing that the property has been the scene of persistent criminal activity that strains both neighbors and police. In its complaint, the city cites a pattern of alleged offenses, including prostitution, drug crimes, weapons violations and what officials describe as a homicide investigation tied to the site. Fort Worth is asking the court for long-term fixes, from beefed-up security and tighter management to the possibility of a court-ordered closure, as part of a broader crackdown on chronic trouble properties. City leaders say they intend to use every lawful tool available to hold owners accountable and protect surrounding neighborhoods.
According to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, the lawsuit specifically names the Central Motel at 5800 E. Lancaster Avenue and asks the court to declare it a common nuisance under Chapter 125 of state law. The filing seeks a permanent injunction that would require management changes, enhanced security measures and other steps aimed at driving down criminal activity on the property. City Manager Jay Chapa said, "Chronic criminal activity that threatens our neighborhoods will not be ignored."
What the court can order
Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 125, judges can issue injunctions, impose abatement measures and, in more serious cases, temporarily shut down a property for up to one year to address a declared common nuisance. Fort Worth's complaint asks the court to use that authority to order specific improvements at the Central Motel and to require ongoing oversight. Any closure or other restrictive measure would only come after additional hearings, where the owner would have a chance to contest the allegations.
Background and city enforcement
Fort Worth launched its Nuisance Enforcement Task Force, known as NET Force, in December 2025 to coordinate inspections and go after properties with chronic crime and code problems. The city created a public NET Force dashboard that tracks violations and police calls tied to problem locations, while teams from multiple departments conduct joint visits to those sites. The City of Fort Worth and early pilot targets along East Lancaster were previously highlighted in reports on the program and its initial focus on the corridor.
Violent incidents linked to the site
Local coverage has tied serious violence to the motel, including a deadly shooting in the parking lot in February. FOX4 reported that officers responded to a shooting in the 5800 block of East Lancaster on Feb. 11, and that homicide detectives later took over the investigation. The city is using incidents like that, along with frequent police calls, as evidence that the motel has become a long-running public safety problem.
What happens next
The city filed the nuisance suit this week, and Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia was expected to discuss the case at a Tuesday briefing, according to city officials. As reported by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, the court will decide, after further hearings and evidence, whether to issue injunctions or other remedies. The property owner can challenge the claims in civil court, and the judge will ultimately set the scope of any long-term orders.
This lawsuit is part of a wider legal push against problem motels. In late June, the Tarrant County District Attorney filed separate nuisance suits targeting other Fort Worth motels, a move reported by KERA News, underscoring a multi-pronged strategy that leans heavily on the courts. Neighbors along East Lancaster say they will be watching closely to see whether this latest case leads to lasting change on the corridor.
