Overview
- Council members voted 9-4 to approve renewed licenses for the downtown Canopy by Hilton and The Depot hotels.
- The decision followed a Feb. 17 hearing that drew limited testimony and no first-hand accounts of ICE agents’ misconduct in hotel bars.
- Earlier this week the council directed staff to review complaints and 911/311 records before the final vote, while the hotels continued serving under active licenses.
- Council Member Aurin Chowdhury pushed for more time citing safety concerns, while colleagues warned that further delay risked legal exposure and harm to businesses.
- Operators and council members reported cancellations, reduced hours and potential layoffs after January protests outside the hotels involving the Minnesota State Patrol.