Crime-Infested Courtesy Hotel In West Hempstead Finally Torn Down
WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island hotel known for criminal activity is no more.
Cheers erupted as Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray gave the signal and a wrecking ball barreled into the Courtesy Hotel Thursday in West Hempstead.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports: The Town Will Be Happy With The Courtesy's Replacement
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"Goodbye to the discourteous Courtesy Hotel!" Murray yelled.
Residents have battled for more than a decade to get rid of the hotel which is located next to the West Hempstead Long Island Rail Road train station. The hotel was known to be a hangout for criminals and drug addicts.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports: Out With The Old, In With The New
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"Every kind of bad nightmare that you could envision for your neighborhood happened here," Murray said.
Within the next two years, a four-story apartment complex with 150 rental units, along with a swimming pool and clubhouse, will replace the crime-infested hotel.
Murray hopes the apartments will bring in young people who want to make Long Island home.
"The neighborhood is going to have a chance to come back," one resident said. "Something like this gave the neighborhood a bad name."
