The Friday auction of the controversial Mosley Motel has been called off.
The city and surrounding neighbors have battled for years to close the motel. Allegations of drug use, drug sales, even prostitution have plagued the Mosley.
In fact, the motel has racked up more than $40,000 in city fines. A recent bankruptcy filing by the owner looks to keep the Mosley open a little longer, to the relief of many families still living there.
"Right now, I'm not in a financial situation to get a place. That's why I'm staying here," said Willie Norfolk. "There's a lot of families out here, a lot of people trying to do good, trying to better themselves."
Dr. Marcie Biddleman is with the Juvenile Welfare Board, and says if and when the Mosley is sold, those families who have no where to go wont be forgotten.
"They have children and that means they would come into our family services initiative," said Biddleman.
"Just to get a head start to be ready, we already took a look at our inventory of beds at our shelter and facilities," said Biddleman.
She said many of the families will have other places to go that won't require certain commitments through their programs. With their shelters as well as the city's, they say there should be plenty of room for the families and nearly 100 children currently living at Mosley.
Officials expect the current bankruptcy filing to move through courts slowly, reaching a decision by the end of February at the earliest.
