Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Residents to vacate Warrick Apts.
City's order result of fire in December
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Warrick Apartments in Avondale, scene of a fire and robbery recently, have been ordered vacated by Cincinnati's buildings and inspection department.
The 25 families living there have 30 days to leave.
Thomas Denhart said his company, Hart Realty, which owns the apartment complex, has enough buildings in Avon dale and other parts of the city to relocate the tenants without any problem.
“The city ordered us closed because of the structural damage caused by the fire in December,” Mr. Denhart said.
“We are working with the HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to get bids to get started on the work.”
With the fire and deterioration, city officials said the building was unsafe and that repairs were badly needed.
“We did not condemn it, but we ordered it vacated because it would be unsafe to live there while the owner does the repairs,” said Dave Edwards, supervisor of inspection.
“The lack of upkeep which had caused a lot of deterioration didn't help the fire,” he said.
Mr. Edwards said the fire caused damage to the basement walls, the entrances and the exits. He said there was a lot of water damage to the building due to the fire.
Once a safe haven in Avondale for many elderly residents, the Warrick has become the scene of drug activities, some residents said.
Last Tuesday morning, residents heard shots fired in the hallway and reported to police that people were being pistol- whipped. When police arrived, they had a confrontation with Alfred L. Pope, 23, who was shot and killed by police.
Other suspects in the robbery are still at large.
Lester Wilson, 86, said she was afraid to open her door because of the drug dealing. She said she heard the shooting, but did not look outside.
Mrs. Wilson said she was given a notice Friday that she had 30 days to vacate her apartment.
“I really hate to leave here, even though it has been rough the last five years,” said Mrs. Wilson who has lived there 33 years.
She said Monday that the owners have offered her a place on McGregor Street in Mount Auburn.
“If I have to leave here, there is nothing I can do.
“I just hope I can get a place equal in size to this because at my age I need to have my relatives visit me a lot,” Mrs. Wilson said.
Dennis Smith, who runs security for the Maurice Building on Reading Road, across the street from the Warrick, said owners should have played more attention to activity at the Warrick.
“Some of the unpleasant tenants we had to chase out of our building, because of drug dealing, ended up in the Warrick,” Mr. Smith said.
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