Find Safety and Support Following Hotel Closure

Health Department action paired with on-site services connected more than 100 people to housing, care, basic needs

For immediate release: Thursday, December 18, 2025

More than 100 individuals and families in Kansas City are now in safer, more stable situations following a coordinated public health and public safety response after some conditions required the closure of the America's Best Value Inn at 11801 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Following an initial inspection by the Multidisciplinary Public Safety Task Force on August 5, 2025, Kansas City departments conducted multiple follow-up inspections over several months as violations remained uncorrected. Despite continued engagement with property ownership, conditions ultimately required enforcement action to protect public health and safety.

On December 9, 2025, the Kansas City Health Department's Environmental Health and Safety Enforcement team suspended the hotel's lodging permit and issued a 48-hour notice to vacate. The Kansas City Police Department was immediately notified, and social workers were on site within 30 minutes to begin assisting guests, ensuring enforcement actions were paired with immediate support.

In the days that followed, Kansas City departments, the Public Safety Task Force, and community partners coordinated on-site services to help individuals and families navigate the transition with care and dignity.

"Protecting public safety sometimes requires enforcement, but it must always be paired with compassion. Because City departments, public safety, and community partners worked together, individuals and families were supported through a difficult transition and connected to meaningful resources," said Mario Vasquez, City Manager.

Between December 11 and December 15, partners assisted 105 individuals, including 78 adults and 27 children, through coordinated outreach led by City departments, the Public Safety Task Force, and community providers. As a result of this collaboration, partners were able to:

• Secure temporary hotel accommodations for 59 individuals
• Assist 26 individuals with relocation to family or friends
• Connect five honorably discharged veterans to VA housing and supportive services
• Secure shelter placements, including family shelters
• Provide on-site mental health services and crisis intervention
• Provide transportation assistance for people and personal belongings

• Distribute food, bottled water, clothing, hygiene items, diapers, and cold-weather gear

"When environmental conditions pose a serious risk to health and safety, our Environmental Health and Safety team has a responsibility to act," said Dr. Maria Jones, Director of the Kansas City Health Department. "This enforcement action was necessary, but it was the coordination with the Public Safety Task Force, public safety partners, and service providers that ensured people were treated with care and connected to support."

Hotel operations have ceased, and all guests have vacated the property. Responsibility for securing and maintaining the site rests with the property owner. Kansas City will continue to monitor the property for compliance, and additional patrols have been initiated in the area.

This response demonstrates how coordinated action through the Multidisciplinary Public Safety Task Force-bringing together public health, public safety, and community partners-can protect health and safety while helping people move toward safer, more stable situations.