In a neighborhood that is always changing, one thing seems to be a constant in the Marina District: complaints about the ramshackle Bridge Motel at 2524 Lombard Street.

For two years, City Attorney Dennis Herrera has sought a legal remedy that would force the owners of the residential hotel to comply with laws that protect neighbors from crime, noise and drug use – all problems that have been attributed to activities at the Bridge Motel for a very long time. On Feb. 10, a San Francisco Superior Court judge approved an injunction.

“The order from the Superior Court puts the Bridge under court jurisdiction,” Herrera said. “The owners have to maintain the building and correct [existing problems].”

Herrera characterizes the Bridge Motel as “a renegade operation.”

“The Bridge is a public nuisance,” he said. “For the next five years, the Bridge owners will have to comply with state and local laws. This is to protect the health and safety of Marina residents.”

In addition, the owners have agreed to pay the City $156,000.

Herrera sued the Bridge Motel in 2009. The lawsuit claimed that the owners ignored repeated complaints from Marina neighbors about noise, drug dealers and hoodlums circulating around the property. The injunction demands the owners keep an eye on drug dealing and work with the police department when there is an incident.

“I’m working closely with the police, fire, building, and public health departments to make sure the Bridge is in compliance with all laws,” said Herrera. “We want the Bridge Motel to be a good citizen.”

The injunction also calls for the hotel to maintain security gates and door locks and to install security cameras. All outstanding health and building code violations have to be rectified.

Named in Herrera’s lawsuit were Tarunkumar, Vinodkumar, Sangita, and Vyomesh Patel. Their family trust owns the property. Also named were the former operators of the hotel, Mohammed and Nasir Shaikh.