9:02 p.m.: Renters say requests for repairs going unanswered

[Guest guest]

Published July 25, 2007 09:01 pm - Collapsed ceilings, unsafe electrical wiring,

creeping mold and uncaring management are among the more serious housing issues

identified by at least eight tenants in three apartment complexes in .

9:02 p.m.: Renters say requests for repairs going unanswered

gabe.khouli@...

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_206210122.html

Collapsed ceilings, unsafe electrical wiring, creeping mold and uncaring

management are among the more serious housing issues identified by at least

eight tenants in three apartment complexes in .

Autumn Ridge Apartments, 101 S. Rangeline Road; The Courtyard Apartments, 2725

W. 16th St.; and Tower Place Apartments, 1109 St., have been

investigated by Building Commissioner Widing.

Widing issued an order to repair the damaged roofs at Autumn Ridge last week

after the apartment complex failed to fix the problem in the past five to six

months. The order forces Autumn Ridge to hire two licensed contractors to do

complete roof inspections in the next 30 days, followed by a 60-day time limit

to have all of the roofing fixed.

Widing said ceilings in Autumn Ridge collapsed as a result of the roof damage

and missing shingles, which allowed water to leak into the rest of the

buildings. Tarps were placed over the damaged roofs, but the tarps did not

prevent more water damage from occurring, he said. Widing is also planning to

write an order today to repair or take down an unsafe playground at Autumn

Ridge. Playground equipment has loose bolts, nails and screws, he said.

Widing has investigated Tower Place in the past for maintenance issues and is

still investigating Courtyard because of the outdated and unsafe electrical

wiring of the building.

“We’re concerned with life safety issues,” Widing said. “There are just poor,

poor electrical (systems) there.”

All three properties are listed as being owned by Seattle-based Pinnacle Realty,

according to the company’s Web site, but Pinnacle spokesman Kurt son said

the company is no longer associated with Courtyard. He was not able to provide

more specifics as of Wednesday. Courtyard officials would not confirm or comment

on current ownership. Widing said all three properties have maintenance

problems, and Courtyard, in particular, has violated city ordinances by having

unlicensed and unqualified people making repairs to the building.

Autumn Ridge Apartments

The most numerous and serious problems have been reported at Autumn Ridge,

namely the collapsed ceilings, mold and unresponsive management, according to

numerous residents, including Amy Bentley, Clabaugh, Shane Simpson and

McKinney.

Bentley had her ceiling collapse five months ago. She said Autumn Ridge never

fixed the ceiling because the manager said she was waiting for insurance money

from Pinnacle. On June 20, Widing put a 24-hour-to-vacate notice on some of the

apartments, meaning Bentley and fellow residents had to quickly find another

place to live. Former manager Offringa said she would move the displaced

residents in 10 days, according to Bentley, but Bentley had to live with family

members until last Friday.

“They are messing with people’s lives and don’t care,” Bentley said. “It’s sad.”

Offringa was the source of many of the problems, according to residents and

assistant manager Lydia Blackberry. Offringa could not be reached for comment,

and son could not comment because it involved a personnel matter.

Offringa was fired by Pinnacle on July 13 and replaced by manager Shana Strong,

but despite the switch, little progress has been made, Bentley and Widing said.

---------------------------------

Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and

lay it on us.