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A judge in Syracuse is urging a quick resolution to the ongoing lawsuit between the City of Syracuse and the owners of the Nob Hill apartment complex. The city filed suit last year after discovering more than 100 unresolved code violations at the property, including issues with brown water, cockroach infestations, broken heating systems, and malfunctioning building security.
According to a detailed report by Syracuse.com, tenants have described living conditions that include intermittent loss of heat and hot water, persistent garbage buildup, and doors that sometimes trap residents inside or fail to keep out squatters. More than two dozen tenants have filed their own lawsuits, seeking court orders for repairs.
The owners of Nob Hill, an out-of-town investment group, purchased the complex for nearly $60 million in 2018 but have since defaulted on their mortgage. A temporary receiver has been appointed to oversee the property after Fannie Mae filed for foreclosure. The city claims the owners owe $800,000 in fines for code violations.
During recent hearings, Judge Shadia Tadros pressed the property’s management for specifics on repairs and questioned whether maintenance staff were addressing issues or just documenting them. The current management company, Destra, says it has resolved over one hundred code violations, but tenants and the judge remain concerned about ongoing problems.
Nob Hill’s attorney maintains that repairs are being made and has challenged the accuracy of some of the city’s citations. The next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (May 6). Forward-looking, both city officials and tenants hope the court-appointed receiver will accelerate improvements to living conditions, as the case continues to unfold.