Edmond could condemn infested apartment complex
EDMOND — City officials have ordered a landlord to clean up her 93-unit apartment building in Edmond or they will condemn the property.
The apartment complex at 1300 E Ayers has been cited for health and fire code violations since 2014. Oklahoma CityCounty Health Department records show reports of sewage pouring out of bathtubs and into the hallways.
“We are scared to put food down on the counter,” said Jordan Cuspard, 20, who has lived at Highland Ridge Apartments for a month.
Edmond attorney Todd McKinnis represents the landlord, Rajesh Narula, who he said hopes to bring the building up to code. The Edmond City Council held its first hearing on the property Monday evening.
“We need to see that something is done, not sit and hope something is done,” Councilman Darrel Davis said.
If the city shuts down the apartments, many of the nearly 100 residents will "have no place to live," Councilwoman Victoria Caldwell said.
“For the most part, the people living in this apartment are poor,” said Richard Klinge, director of the Pro Bono Housing Eviction Assistance Program at Oklahoma City University. “They don’t have a voice,” he said. Klinge represents five residents battling eviction complaints. During recent visits by
The Oklahoman, many rooms had no attached smoke alarms and some contained animal waste with roaches on the floor. Assistant Fire Chief Chris Denton said fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exit lights are out of order.
“It is unsafe living conditions for anybody,” Denton said. “We are talking about people’s lives here.”
Built in 1984, the 77,000-square-foot, three-story building has gone through multiple owners. It was built as an apartment building, converted to a nursing home, which remained until Narula bought it.
On Jan. 14, the Edmond City Council will review any improvements and determine if the building should be condemned.
“This should not be going on,” Councilwoman Elizabeth Waner said. “They need to have a strong showing on Jan. 14."