BUFFALO, NY - Federal inspectors have revealed security concerns at a Buffalo housing development that's had a long history of problems.
The Towne Gardens Apartments is in Buffalo's Ellicott District. Towne Gardens again appears in a federal inspection report that's critical of how things are going there.
The federal inspection found "systemic issues" at Towne Gardens. Because there are no working security cameras, there are concerns about tenant safety. And vacant units are a mess with debris.
Towne Gardens gets inspected by the feds because it receives federal money.
The inspection was done by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in September. Because we had to file a Freedom of Information Request for the report, we had to wait over a month to actually get it. But in that timeframe, some things have not changed.
"Towne Gardens...its been an apartment complex that has had a lot of issues in the past. How would you characterize it now?" we asked Bonnie Smith, the property manager who has been working at Towne Gardens since May.
"It's getting better. Is it where it needs to be? Absolutely not," she said.
Several years ago, the city took Towne Gardens to court for housing violations. The federal inspection says Towne Gardens "needs a complete and thorough renovation with professional assistance."
Smith agreed on that assessment.
Towne Gardens over the last few months has been under receivership, because the owners defaulted on their mortgage of Towne Gardens. This process is playing out in court. New leadership was hired earlier this year, and they say things are improving. But, the feds found, "Without proper security measures in place, it is questionable as to the safety of the tenants."
"Why are there no security cameras at the apartment buildings?" we asked Smith.
They're "on our wish list," she replied. And when asked when she thinks they'll get them? "I would say in the next year. If I had the money I would do it tomorrow."
"It takes a year when the money is not being reinvested in a facility. That's what takes a year," said Buffalo Common Council president Darius Pridgen.
"Because you're seeing it in writing here, a greater police presence - is that something you would like to pursue?" we asked Pridgen.
"It's already happening, that's how you had the drug bust recently. Let me be clear, we've already talked to the police commissioner. They have higher amount of police there," Pridgen added.
"Give us another six to nine months and we'll be close to 95-percent occupied," Smith said.
Right now, Towne Gardens is about 80-percent occupied, 20-percent vacant.
Tenants told 2 On Your Side off camera that housing issues are being slowly addressed under new leadership and that security remains a big concern.