Knox hotel first in TN to lose operating license

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A Farragut hotel is the first in Tennessee to have its operating license revoked. The West Plaza Inn and Suites is located off Outlet Drive in West Knox County.

The Knox County Health Department said the hotel was inspected four times in 2011. It scored below 60 each time. The state average inspection score for Tennessee hotels is 89.

Health officials said they gave the hotel owner, Jet Patel, two weeks to make changes. Patel's license was revoked after no progress was made.

Inspectors said insects were a big problem, including roaches walking on ceilings.

"When we would go in, the infestations were so bad they would fall on your head when you walked in," said Scott Bryan, Environmental Manager for the KCHD. "Most of the bedrooms we inspected had bed bugs or have had bed bug issues in the past."

Bryan named other violations like mold, unusable fire extinguishers and unusable fire alarms.

Attorney Stephen H. Byrd represents the hotel and Patel. Byrd said the hotel has been treated for insects since the last inspection.

"I feel like this hotel, as scrutinized as it's going to be, will probably be one of the cleanest hotels around here," Byrd said.

The attorney said his clients plan to fix bothhealth and building code violations and reopen late this year.

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Knox hotel first in TN to lose operating license

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