DETROIT – Some tenants at a senior apartment building on Detroit’s east side say they are frustrated and want some issues resolved.
“My car was stolen twice,” said Pat Lewis. “We don’t have adequate security.”
A group of neighbors at Parkview Towers on the city’s east side organized a tenants meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 13) afternoon. The neighbors said they were fed up over a list of maintenance service requests and security matters they feel have been ignored.
“The building was beautiful, and it’s going down, down, down,” said Christine Griffin.
As neighbors gathered in the building lobby Tuesday morning, many shared personal concerns and complaints about management’s response to their quality of life and safety concerns.
“It needs to stop,” said Kathy Goodman. “In one night, somebody’s catalytic convertor got cut off. They stole my car. Stole another car, and they messed up somebody else’s.”
Neighbors complained about a lack of security in the parking lot and shared concerns about nuisances inside the building.
“My ceiling leaks when it rains,” Griffin said.
Like Griffin, there were several concerns shared about broken appliances.
William Ford, a resident in his 90s, reported that his refrigerator broke in September. It has yet to be replaced.
“Oh, I had to buy a small one,” said Ford.
He’s been using a dorm-style refrigerator. He said a neighbor is allowing him to use her refrigerator for more oversized items.
The tenants living in the Parkview Tower are seniors or disabled. Most are on fixed incomes, and many receive housing assistance.
They claim the on-site managers are slow to respond to some of their requests.
Griffin said, “I have been trying, ever since Friday, to get a meeting with her. She tells me she has other urgent things to do. Well, this is urgent.”
Staff at the on-site leasing office would not comment on the neighbors’ allegations, complaints, and concerns, but they did share a number with the corporate office.
Independent Management Services manages Parkview Tower out of Fenton, Michigan.
A representative named Jim Harrigan said he wasn’t aware of any broken appliances, and if he were, they would be fixed immediately.
Harrigan later called a regional manager. They said they learned two Parkview Tower tenants had broken refrigerators. The representatives said those appliances are being replaced this week.
As for the security concerns, Harrigan said Independent Management Services has on-site security.
The company acknowledged that the parking lot gates are broken. Harrigan said the building works with the Detroit Police Department and recently shared surveillance video of suspects breaking into a vehicle. He said the company would be adding extra security cameras at the property.
“We want it fixed,” said Pat Lewis.
The city of Detroit’s Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) does field complaints from renters about problem properties.
However, according to Arthur Rushin, BSEED’s chief enforcement officer, the scope of the investigation is limited to certain issues with the buildings.
“Issues as far as peeling paint,” Rushin said. “issues with electrical outlets and light switches, light fixtures not working. Plumbing issues. Heating issues with apartment buildings. If there’s any issues with elevators. They can reach out to the Building and Safety Engineering Department.”
Click here to learn more about filing a complaint with the city of Detroit about a rental property.