Families forced to leave Gastonia motel after it was purchased by the city

GASTONIA, N.C. — Dozens of people were forced out of the Budget Inn on West Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia, after the city bought it as part of a revitalization project.

Forty-two tenants had to leave the motel Monday.

“We have to go today, and we don't know where to go," tenant Gabrial Roscoe said

The city of Gastonia purchased the troubled motel for $1.2 million. Now, leaders plan to replace it with the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District, anchored by a local baseball team

Roscoe said her husband lost his job a year and a half ago, and her family has been in and out of extended-stay hotels since.

"Taking a home away from a lot of people," Roscoe said.

Tenants were given three and a half months to find a new place to live.

One of them told channel 9 he is frustrated the city will spend $25 million to build the complex.

John Moore asked,"why not take the money they have invested in all of this and help the homeless people?"

Channel 9 took that question to City Councilman Robert Kellogg. He said he is saddened to hear some people can't move to a better situation, but the motel was never designed for long-term stay.

"Those are much bigger questions that need to be answered at a collaborative effort on a county and state level," Kellogg said.

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