Seaview Lofts attorneys: Repairs are underway
Tenants are still unsure when they can return
NEWPORT NEWS — Lawyers representing the owner of a condemned Newport News apartment building told a judge Thursday progress is being made on fixing the 15-story structure but that more work is needed before tenants can move back in.
The fire alarm system at Seaview Lofts is up and running, but elevators, a water boiler and an air conditioning system await fixes.
The city condemned the building in late June — with tenants ordered out in 48 hours — because nonworking elevators would be “an ongoing hazard to the life and safety of residents” during a fire.
In a memo filed in court Thursday, the city said because of several failed inspections, the law now requires the elevators pass a more robust inspection that includes weight-bearing tests.
During Thursday’s status hearing in Newport News Circuit Court, a Seaview lawyer said TK Elevators, a Chesapeake contractor, is waiting for two needed electronic controller boards. The company has faced supply chain delays.
“We have asked them to expedite it as much as possible,” attorney Nicholas Nunes told Circuit Judge Christopher Papile.
The city said Wednesday the apartment building’s boiler is leaking and set too hot, creating a scalding risk. The air conditioning chiller is malfunctioning — leaking into the elevator room — and a second chiller is needed to adequately cool the building.
Permitting for that work is now underway, the Seaview lawyer told Papile.
The judge held Seaview owner Ben Weinstein in contempt of court — fining him $1,000 a day — until he makes the fixes. But his attorney, Josh David, said the fines aren’t the main concern.
“It’s a significant amount of money, but we are focused on fixing the issues and getting people back in their units,” David said.
Weinstein attended Thursday’s hearing, but didn’t testify. Outside the courthouse, he told tenants “we’re doing everything in our power” to get the building reopened.
There’s no time frame on when the 100 or so tenants can return. The city spent about $140,000 to put them up at local hotels until mid-July, billing Weinstein for those costs.
Tasha Gayle, 39, a FedEx driver who has lived in the building since 2020, said she’s been paying more than $500 a week for a hotel.
“My kid’s gotta go back to school on the 29th, and I want to get into the building before that,” Gayle siad.
Dozens of tenants are suing Weinstein, contending he violated state and federal housing law by
collecting rent and pandemic relief money but not keeping up the building. A status hearing on the
repairs is set for Aug. 22.