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Residents of the Nob Hill Apartments in Syracuse are still waiting for answers after a deadly fire displaced them last month. The fire occurred in Building 3 of the complex on Saturday, February 28, and resulted in two deaths, leaving more than 50 people without homes. Many residents are uncertain about when they can return and what it will cost them in the meantime.
Tracy McClellan, a resident since 2019, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from management. "Until it comes up to code. So, it's going to take six months to come up to code," she said. Some residents have been relocated to other buildings within the complex, raising questions about leases and rent payments.
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens announced that the city plans to take legal action against the complex's owners, citing long-standing code violations and safety issues. The city is seeking receivership and has contacted the state Attorney General’s Office for assistance. "This is absolutely unacceptable," Owens said at a news conference, emphasizing the owners' responsibility to maintain safe and clean properties.
The Nob Hill complex, owned by a California-based company, has faced ongoing legal and financial issues since its 2018 sale. It is currently in foreclosure, and the owners owe the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. More than 20 tenants have filed lawsuits seeking rent reductions and refunds due to unaddressed safety and security problems.
The city and residents await further action from the courts and management as they seek resolution and clarity on the future of the complex.