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The City of Ottawa wants a judge to shut down a south-end motel that the city says is a magnet for criminal activity and a hot spot for paramedics treating overdosed patients.

In an application filed at Superior Court on Thursday, the city requested an order under the Ontario Municipal Act to close the New Highway Inn Motel at 2279 Prince of Wales Dr. for two years because of public nuisance.

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“The motel has no raison d’être other than to serve as a haven for heavy drug use, prostitution and other illicit activities,” the city’s application said.

“It is a hub for those seeking opportunities to support drug use by theft from community sources, neighbouring businesses and residential communities.”

The owner of the hotel property is Ottawa resident Noorali Adatia.

In an interview Friday in one of the ground-level motel rooms, Adatia said he was daunted by the prospect of trying to fight city hall. He said the city had never threatened court action until now.