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Toledo judge takes exception to closing of troubled Riviera Maia complex
McConnell: City acted improperly
http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/12/06/Toledo-judge-takes-exception-to-closing.html
Toledo Housing Judge C. Allen McConnell chastised the city of Toledo’s building inspector Friday for jumping the gun and closing down the remaining occupied apartments at the troubled Riviera Maia complex.
The judge said Chief Building Official David Golis had been authorized by the court to inspect and report on some of the 32 buildings in the 52-year-old garden apartments complex near Jackman and Laskey Roads, and then report back to him.
An unidentified number of tenants, possibly 100, were given 24-hours notice earlier in the week that the buildings would be shuttered because of unsafe electrical wiring.
Judge McConnell said he realizes the electrical service was improper, but said, “They should have contacted me and asked me for an order.” He said he would probably have agreed to close the buildings but would also have given the occupants 72-hours notice.
The problem with the wiring has been known for several years, but came to a head for some buildings on Nov. 21 and for others on Dec. 3 when Mr. Golis labeled the buildings unfit for occupancy. Toledo Edison crews were called to sever the electrical service drop to each building. Riviera Maia, at 1233 Cribb St., formerly known as Larchmont Gardens, has 32 two-story brick buildings and a swimming pool.
The United Way and the city’s relocation service said they have been helping tenants who need help to find a place to live.
The case was in front of Judge McConnell for a scheduled hearing Friday.
Commissioner of Inspection Chris Zervos said that once the inspector deemed the electrical service unsafe he was obligated to have the power disconnected and the residents evacuated.
Thomas Heintschel, attorney for the property owners, Kidz Real Estate Group LLC of Des Plaines, Ill., did not dispute that the wiring in the 504-unit complex was out of compliance with the building code, but said it was not an emergency situation.
“As your honor observed earlier, this situation has been going on for a long time,” Mr. Heintschel told Judge McConnell. “I don’t think it was necessary to treat this as an emergency, disconnect the electric, and get the residents out in 24 hours.”
The hearing was in response to a long-running enforcement action by the city Department of Inspection against Riviera Maia for deteriorating conditions since July.
A Chicago company acquired the complex in 2005, but now says it doesn’t have the resources to make the needed upgrades.
Mr. Zervos said he and the owners have been in contact with a buyer from Nebraska who is seriously interested in acquiring the property and who plans an 18-month renovation schedule.
Judge McConnell told Mr. Heintschel that the owners are responsible for boarding up the first floor of the buildings to keep them from being looted.
“I don’t want another blighted property in the city of Toledo,” Judge McConnell said.
Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.
McConnell: City acted improperly
http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/12/06/Toledo-judge-takes-exception-to-closing.html
Toledo Housing Judge C. Allen McConnell chastised the city of Toledo’s building inspector Friday for jumping the gun and closing down the remaining occupied apartments at the troubled Riviera Maia complex.
The judge said Chief Building Official David Golis had been authorized by the court to inspect and report on some of the 32 buildings in the 52-year-old garden apartments complex near Jackman and Laskey Roads, and then report back to him.
An unidentified number of tenants, possibly 100, were given 24-hours notice earlier in the week that the buildings would be shuttered because of unsafe electrical wiring.
Judge McConnell said he realizes the electrical service was improper, but said, “They should have contacted me and asked me for an order.” He said he would probably have agreed to close the buildings but would also have given the occupants 72-hours notice.
The problem with the wiring has been known for several years, but came to a head for some buildings on Nov. 21 and for others on Dec. 3 when Mr. Golis labeled the buildings unfit for occupancy. Toledo Edison crews were called to sever the electrical service drop to each building. Riviera Maia, at 1233 Cribb St., formerly known as Larchmont Gardens, has 32 two-story brick buildings and a swimming pool.
The United Way and the city’s relocation service said they have been helping tenants who need help to find a place to live.
The case was in front of Judge McConnell for a scheduled hearing Friday.
Commissioner of Inspection Chris Zervos said that once the inspector deemed the electrical service unsafe he was obligated to have the power disconnected and the residents evacuated.
Thomas Heintschel, attorney for the property owners, Kidz Real Estate Group LLC of Des Plaines, Ill., did not dispute that the wiring in the 504-unit complex was out of compliance with the building code, but said it was not an emergency situation.
“As your honor observed earlier, this situation has been going on for a long time,” Mr. Heintschel told Judge McConnell. “I don’t think it was necessary to treat this as an emergency, disconnect the electric, and get the residents out in 24 hours.”
The hearing was in response to a long-running enforcement action by the city Department of Inspection against Riviera Maia for deteriorating conditions since July.
A Chicago company acquired the complex in 2005, but now says it doesn’t have the resources to make the needed upgrades.
Mr. Zervos said he and the owners have been in contact with a buyer from Nebraska who is seriously interested in acquiring the property and who plans an 18-month renovation schedule.
Judge McConnell told Mr. Heintschel that the owners are responsible for boarding up the first floor of the buildings to keep them from being looted.
“I don’t want another blighted property in the city of Toledo,” Judge McConnell said.
Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.