Richard Esposito has a harsh view (correctly so, in my opinion) of the recent failure of the Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals to take action on Applewood Apartments.
My thanks to members Joe Lee and Aaron Wells for voting that slumlord Joe Levitt has had quite enough time to repair his run-down properties, and it's time for the City to do something about it.
The new buildings that are going up where two old Applewood buildings used to be look like they're going to be quite nice. It's a great first step in the right direction, and I'd like to see the progress escalate.
Those buildings bring down the entire area and are a detriment to our city. From what I understand, the owner has been directed by the city to make corrections and has repeatedly made the least improvements, just to scrape by inspections . We need a stronger code enforcement, and I applaud the city for starting demolition. Now let's finish the job!
Were not some of these same people voting, in their professional capacity, part of the problem in our city instead of part of the cure?
There have been slumlords in Oak Ridge as far as I can remember. They take advantage of the poor by overcharging for substandard living conditions. But they also provide a place to live for those who cannot afford nicer places. The slumlord turns his back as 10 people are crammed into a 1 room apartment.
I agree the Applewood apartments are a blight on Oak Ridge. If they are torn down, where are the residents going to go? A lot of them are working in our town. They can't afford the new apartments.
Yes there are a lot of illegals living in Oak Ridge. Why do they come here? Because they are given jobs. They can work at one of the local fast food places and still have money to send home to help their families. As bad as the Applewood Apartments are, they are better than the conditions they were living in before.
I don't think it is right for them to be here illegally, but they are here, so how do we deal with that problem?
I work with many of the Hispanics in Oak Ridge. They are people just like you and I. Many are my friends. It is my calling to work with them and try to show love to them just as Jesus did to the hated people in His time.
Sorry JCL, but when did this become a racial thread? The Applewood apartments should have been torn down years ago, long before the recent influx of undocumented aliens.
Those apartments should have been torn down back in the 80's. Thank goodness the city has finally opened it's eyes and is addressing the problem.
JCL,
Welcome to ACT. As for Applewood, if it is the one I'm thinking of, it pretty much sets the standard for blight. And last I checked, there's no shortage of low income housing in Oak Ridge.
Joseph Lee is right - No one should have to live in such sub-standard housing and pay that much rent for it. There are fire hazards, rodents, broken/drafty windows, peeling paint (probably not lead free), all sorts of safety issues.
Levitt has had more than sufficient time to sort out the issues at hand. At the last meeting with the Board, he blamed it all directly on his property and maintenance managers. He's ducked under the radar long enough.
I don't understand who these clowns are on the Board who continually give Levitt another inch. Apparently, they haven't visited the property and/or spoken with the residents.
I've seen it first hand and they need to take a match to it.
The residents will be just fine in locating new housing. There are lots of places to rent in the city - some of which have assisted rental payments. There's no need for 10 people to live in a one room apartment - that's by choice...I find it hard to believe that it takes ten people to pay one month's rent. But that's another topic. Let's not go there from here...this topic is related directly to the landlord/owner of the property.
This should not even be a question as far as the city is concerned. They need to be gone.
Won't the 20 new townhomes that are being built on Hillside be for low-income families? Also, the same company is busy building single-level apartments on Royce Circle (the plan calls for 52 units). I think these will also be for low-income renters? At least, that's the impression I get from the following statement:
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency has approved the use of about $6.1 million in low-income housing tax credits for the roughly $8 million Landmark Group project, known as Royce Hill Towns and Gardens. The credits, purchased by investors, offset federal income taxes and help developers raise money to build or renovate affordable rental housing. Source: Highland View neighborhood revitalization coming along by John Huotari, 6/12/08, The Oak Ridger.
I agree that all of Applewood needs to be demolished and replaced. Remember the wailing and gnashing of teeth that occured when the city announced the demolition of the low-income housing that used to stand where the Manhattan Shopping Center is now? Seems that the world didn't come to a grinding halt after they were torn down.
It doesn't take 10 people to pay for the rent - but it allows those 10 you live much more cheaply and send more of our money to their home country. If we enforced the illegal immigration laws, then levitt would not have anyone to rent his slums. As long as he is able to make substantial money and continue to fill them up without upkeep, he probably will - just like many others in OR.
you live much more cheaply and send more of our money to their home country
OK Mr Know-It-All. What the crap is your point?
My comment about 10 people living in a one room apartment has NOTHING to do with the SUB-STANDARD living conditions that the OTHER RENTERS are having to live in. THOSE 10 PEOPLE ARE LIVING THERE BY CHOICE.
Don't get on here and type just to be seen.