By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The city of South Tucson has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the iconic but controversial Old Spanish Trail Motel on Benson Highway for failing to clean up the rubble pile at the property.
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The property, located off Benson and Fourth, has caught fire at least four times in the past two years, leaving only rubble.
The city is seeking a court order requiring the cleanup of the rubble pile under a state law that allows the county to abate and prevent public nuisances and properties that threaten health, are offensive to the senses, and interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
It had been owned by Brian Bower, who has faced his own lawsuits from South Tucson over nearby apartments he also owns.
Bower recently sold the Old Spanish Trail Motel to a company called Asgard Group LLC. 13 News’ Kayla Butter talked to the owner of Asgard Group LLC, who said he found out about the new lawsuit when she texted him.
The man said he is trying to get grant money to fund the cleanup of the old motel grounds.
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He said news of the lawsuit is “surprising and disappointing” considering he has had close communication with the city in the past few months.
The city said the property is filled with live asbestos, hurts property values, creates safety concerns, and damages neighborhood pride.
“We’ve done everything possible; we as the council, we as the city, we as the citizens, and we’re at the end of our rope,” said Brian Flagg, a South Tucson councilmember. “We need justice; we need relief from contaminated fields right next to where people live.”
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