Downtowner loses business license

The Downtowner Motor Inn had its business license revoked today but will remain open as a new owner takes over.

Ralph Ahmad, owner of the two-story motel at the corner of Northern Carson and Washington streets that has been shut down before, had not paid room tax fees of more than $1,000 this year and not responded to questions about the problem, city staff said.

The new owners, the Shearer family, are working with the city to take over the motel now. No one will be asked to move out during the transition, city staff said.

The Downtowner re-opened in September after being shut down by the city in April 2005 under Ahmad's ownership for problems including overflowing sewage.