New owner of Master’s Inn turning blighted motel into studio apartments

The new owner of the Master’s Inn Motel near the Interstate 20/59 overpass on McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa has changed hands and is now changing its business model.

New Master’s Inn owner Richard Henry, who bought the motel after the Tuscaloosa City Council requested its previous owner surrender the business license in December, is renovating the buildings and turning the location into short-term studio apartments.

On Tuesday, the Tuscaloosa City Council approved Henry’s proposal and a change in zoning for the area from business to residential.

Henry said he’s ready and willing to take on the tough task of cleaning up the location’s reputation.

“We’ve talked with the neighbors,” he said. “We don’t promise to be perfect, but we will do our best to be proactive in communicating.”

Henry said he expects to be leasing units by the summer.