SOUTH TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - The City of South Tucson has filed a lawsuit against Torino Avenue LLC, demanding the cleanup of the former Spanish Trail Motel site on East Benson Highway.

The once-proud 20,000-square-foot complex is now a derelict and hazardous area, plagued by fires and decay since 2020.

Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela emphasized the urgency, stating, "The property is more than an eyesore. The buildings are just piles of rubble containing asbestos, rodents, and other pests, and the property is a hotspot for criminal behavior."

The lawsuit seeks a court order for the property's demolition, citing it as a public nuisance. "Mr. Bower’s company has had almost five years to do something about this nuisance property, but it has only gotten worse. He needs to scrape it clean," Valenzuela said.

South Tucson aims to enhance community safety and vibrancy through this legal action.