The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 20 families are going to be displaced after the Christmas and New Year at the Windsor of the Mall Apartments, which were condemned by Freeport authorities as a result of extensive hurricane damage and neglect by the owners.

Some residents have already received notice since last Tuesday with a court order to vacate their units and move out of the building by January 25.

The two buildings, situated on East Mall Drive and Adventurer’s Way, were damaged during Hurricane Matthew on October 6. The north building has been repaired and the utilities were restored, but repairs had not been made to the south building.

The building is in a poor state and residents claim that the owner has neglected to repair, and clean up and haul debris from the premises.

While there is running water, power has not been restored to the south building because of extensive roof and electrical damage.

The residents said the owners met with them after the storm and promised to repair the building, and waived only one month’s rent. But, they said no improvements have been done to the building.

The tenants are concerned over having to move at such short notice. Many of them are facing financial hardship and are not employed as a result of the hotel closures.

The Tribune visited the complex and spoke with some tenants. The buildings and premises lacked proper maintenance and general cleaning.

A huge amount of damaged building materials and furniture was piled up just outside the building.

There were also significant safety issues as well. The stairway had missing railings. And railings on the second and third floors were also missing.

Karen Reckley said: “Everybody waited and waited and no one (the building owner) has come around here to tell us anything. They never came around to say, well this is happening.

“A gentleman from the court came around last week and brought a letter saying that we have to move and that we have until January 25 because the building is condemned.”

The Grand Bahama Port Authority’s Building and Development Department has the authority to declare buildings condemned.

The Tribune has learned that some of the units are privately owned by individuals who were given the option to purchase their units by the owner.

Ms Reckley said the private owner of her unit was not aware that the building was condemned.

She was very concerned about the situation and the condition of the premises.

“They took all the damaged materials from the apartments and threw them down on the ground and never moved them as though people don’t live here. The railings were blown away during the storm and are missing,” she said.

Ms Reckley stated that the railings on the north building were repaired.

“They are not checking for us (in the south building),” he said. “I have grandchildren and two small ones from ages 12 and down.”

She commended persons in the community who have assisted them. A generator is now providing power to the building for residents.

Ms Reckley said that they were without power and water for sometime.

“Thank God for (former Free National Movement Senator) Michael Pintard, the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club that brought water here in the yard so we can bathe and flush our toilets,” she said.

“We are now back on city water only because the power company has restored power to the north building, not at our building,” Ms Reckley said.

When asked about the notice to move, she said they will have to look for somewhere else to live.

“I guess we will have to move, and we have to find the money somehow. They say we have to go by January 25,” she said.

Ms Reckley felt that tenants could be been told by the owners what was happening instead of having to learn about it this way.

“Christmas is coming and it is unfortunate that we have to leave, but also bad they just left all this rubbish here in the yard,” she said.

Another tenant who identified herself as Wendy said she has been living at Windsor on the Mall for two years. She said it is sad that the place has been condemned. She said the roof leaks when it rains.

“The surrounding is dirty and they could at least keep it clean and have it removed before Christmas,” she said.

The woman said things are rough financially and it will be difficult to find affordable rental units.

“Financially, the money is not there for many of us and January 25 is not enough time. The hotel is not open right now and that is the problem right now. In the papers apartments are going for $800 and $900 per month.”

She added that all of the tenants there are like family and are looking out for each other, despite the circumstances.