City of Montgomery Advances Public‑Safety Efforts with Blight Removal at Candlelight Hotel and Days Inn

Montgomery, AL - The City of Montgomery today held a press conference at the long-abandoned Candlelight Hotel to mark the launch of demolition work at two properties widely recognized as persistent public-safety hazards. The Candlelight Hotel and the nearby Days Inn have stood vacant for years, attracting crime, creating dangerous conditions, and undermining the stability of surrounding neighborhoods. Their removal represents a significant step forward in reducing crime opportunities, improving safety, strengthening community confidence, and restoring a key gateway into the city.

Standing before the deteriorated building, Mayor Steven L. Reed highlighted just how long residents have waited for meaningful action.

"For years, the Candlelight Hotel and the Days Inn have stood as symbols of neglect. They have been hazards to our families, magnets for illegal activity, and a drain on the surrounding neighborhoods," Mayor Reed said. "Progress in Montgomery belongs to our residents. And the families who live along West South Boulevard have patiently waited for a system that finally works the way it should. Today is about delivering on that expectation. We are taking these structures down. Montgomery is on the move."

PIPE Director Kippy Tate echoed that message, expressing pride in the teamwork and persistence that brought the project to this point.

"This is a great day for Montgomery," Tate said. "These properties have long threatened the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens and visitors. What you see behind us didn't happen overnight; this took leadership, coordination, and people who refused to look away. I'm proud of the team behind this work and grateful for the community members who push progress forward every day. Momentum is on our side, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to move this city forward."

During the briefing, leaders reflected on how the deterioration of these structures harmed not only nearby residents but also thousands of travelers and commuters who pass along this corridor daily, including those driving to and from the Montgomery Regional Airport.

West South Boulevard serves as one of the city's most prominent entry points, shaping the first impression for visitors, families, service members, and business travelers. Clearing unsafe and unsightly properties along this route signals that Montgomery takes seriously its responsibility to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.

City officials emphasized that today's progress is part of a broader commitment to public safety and neighborhood revitalization. Removing these dangerous structures will create safer conditions for law enforcement, improve visibility along the corridor, and reduce locations known to harbor illicit activity. For the surrounding community, it offers renewed confidence that long-standing concerns are being addressed, and that the City is working to restore quality of life and stability where it is needed most.

The demolition of the Candlelight Hotel and Days Inn marks the beginning of continued work to clean up Montgomery's gateway corridors and eliminate properties that pose risks to the community. With local leadership aligned, crews now mobilized, and strong community momentum behind the effort, city leaders affirmed that Montgomery is moving forward - safer, stronger, and together.