Former Santa Maria Motel Now a Semi-Permanent Home For Farm Workers

The former Budget Inn in Santa Maria, now known as Broadway II is almost done with renovation and some people in the city say they’re seeing a change in the neighborhood.

It’s no longer being used as a motel, it’s now a semi-permanent housing place for farm workers.

The motel has a fresh new look, new paint, and even new tenants.

The manager at King Falafel, a business right across the way said since they’re open past midnight the change is actually helping their business.

Alma Santos, manager at King Falafel, said, “We’re glad, we even hear from the customers. They feel safer when they come into the drive-thru. They like it
too.”

The former motel is still zoned as a motel; city leaders say that means the property owner has to pay the transient occupancy tax for it. The city says that’s a problem because they say the property owners aren’t paying that tax.

We did reach out to Bonipak, the new owners of the property and haven’t heard back from them.

Santa Maria Police said they’ve been dispatched out to the motel in the past for a stabbing, prostitution and drugs.

The police department said they’re confident with the switch.