Tenants moved from unsafe apartments
Updated: March 1, 2013
URBANA -- More than a dozen tenants had to move from their homes this week. The City of Urbana says the apartment complexes on Silver Street aren't safe.
Officials say they found structural problems. They cite issues with walkways and stair areas saying they're deteriorating over time. The city put up signs in the apartments.
The property manager, Paul Zerrouki, says 15-tenants live in the buildings. They've all been moved to other units. Zerrouki says he's also been in touch with an engineer to take a look at the problems.
City leaders say the owner has two weeks to present a plan on how to fix the problems. Until then, the buildings have to be cordoned off. As long as the problems are fixed, the building will not have to be torn down. That's what the owner says he plans to do.
Previously, the owner's been accused of shuffling fire equipment from building to building in order to pass inspection. But, he says that's been take care of and this is the first structural problem any of his properties has ever had.
Officials say they found structural problems. They cite issues with walkways and stair areas saying they're deteriorating over time. The city put up signs in the apartments.
The property manager, Paul Zerrouki, says 15-tenants live in the buildings. They've all been moved to other units. Zerrouki says he's also been in touch with an engineer to take a look at the problems.
City leaders say the owner has two weeks to present a plan on how to fix the problems. Until then, the buildings have to be cordoned off. As long as the problems are fixed, the building will not have to be torn down. That's what the owner says he plans to do.
Previously, the owner's been accused of shuffling fire equipment from building to building in order to pass inspection. But, he says that's been take care of and this is the first structural problem any of his properties has ever had.
