Councilors Hope Braintree Motel 6 Stays Closed

BRAINTREE, MA — Days after Motel 6 announced that they will close on June 1, members of the Braintree Town Council are calling for the controversial establishment to not turn the lights back on.

The council was nearly unanimous in their opposition to the continuing operation of the motel on Union Street, with some voicing support for the demolition of the property.

“That’s not the type of brand we need. The brand and the site do no good for that area. The only solution is to close the motel and demolish it. I think that site will always be attractive to hotel companies. I don’t think a hotel, in general, is the issue. I think the Motel 6 is the issue,” Councilors Michael Owens said.

The site has been home to a hotel since the 1970s when the Susse Chalet Motor Lodge opened their doors. The property was sold and renamed in 1991. For years, a Bickford’s operated nearby before closing in 2006, reopening in 2010, and closing again in 2011. No restaurant has moved into the space since.

“What’s really enlightening is the fact that we have had no restaurant next to a 92-room facility that lodges individuals. A very difficult thing to see is having no restaurant that can survive. That’s a big red flag. I personally believe that we as a council should support the mayor and support the citizens of this town and recommend that Motel 6 have their license revoked,” Councilors Charles Kokoros said.

The establishment has received a large amount of attention following a May 5 incident that involved a guest shooting a police officer. At about 9:30 p.m. on May 5, five officers went to the motel to serve a restraining order. After the suspect, identified as Tizaya Jordan Robinson, refused to open the door to his room, officers used a key to enter and were greeted with gunfire from Robinson. Due to the gunshots, Officer Donald Delaney was struck in the head by shrapnel and was transported to Boston Medical Center. He was released two days later but faces future surgery.

Motel 6 officials say they have made changes since the incident, including taking only credit cards for payments and collecting IDs. It may be too little, too late for the council.

“Where was that three years ago? Why didn’t they implement those standards back then? There’s no place for Motel 6 here,” Councilors Thomas Bowes said, referring to the motel’s past renovation.

On May 18, the motel told the board of health that they will voluntarily close for six weeks. At the end of the period, the board will consider whether or not to allow Motel 6 to continue to operate past July 13. If the calls from Braintree residents to the councilors and the council’s individual feelings is a sample of the sentiment around town, it’s going to be a tough sell for a reopening.

“If this were a nightclub, the permit would have been gone by now. Being a motel makes it no different than any other establishment. I truly believe if it was a nightclub or any other nightlife location, it would have been gone,” Owens said.

Some council members were in favor of drafting a letter in support of revocation, but with Councilors Shannon Hume absent, there was a preference to take such action on a night when the full council was present.

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