Midwest City declares apartment complex dilapidated

Property owner has 30 days to address issues

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Midwest City officials are putting pressure on a problematic apartment complex.

The city council last week declared the Midwest Point Apartments, 1200 N. Air Depot Blvd., as a dilapidated building and gave the property owner 30 days to remedy the issues.

The city’s chief building official reported structural issues, water damage, leaks in ceilings, and mold in several of the buildings. The second floor of one of the buildings is being held up by screw jacks.

According to city code, a dilapidated building is a structure that is in a state of decay or partial ruin to such extent that is a hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public. It can also be unfit for human occupancy due to lack of necessary repairs and considered uninhabitable.

It has been an ongoing issue for the city. In September 2020, the fire marshal issued a notice that the property was an “unsafe building/complex.” The property owner responded by hiring an engineer to remedy many of the issues, said Brandon Bundy, director of engineering and construction services.

Early this year, city staff followed up and determined that none of the work recommended had been started. And in many cases, the conditions had worsened.

“The principal issue is the water damage that is getting behind the siding,” Bundy said. “There are a lot of issues that I could go through, but it’s just an unsafe structure all the way around.”

The apartment complex is owned by California-based Silverwood Estates, LLC., according to online property records. The complex includes 13 separate buildings, many of which are currently occupied.

City attorney Don Maisch said the company sent a few emails in the past.

Councilmembers expressed concern for residents who would be displaced.

“The folks that live here are the innocent ones,” said Sean Reed, city councilmember. “I don’t feel sorry for any property owner that lets that happen, but we have to bear in mind that folks that live there this might be one of the few options they have.  So, we need to be as understanding as possible.”

Sara Bana, Ward 5 councilmember, thanked the city for standing up for residents who are living in unsafe conditions, and offered her assistance.

Eads asked if the city could check with other apartments that might offer assistance.

Bundy said they will reach out to different community organizations to provide resources for residents.

“This is a very unfortunate thing and it’s bothered us for quite some time that they’re in an unsafe condition now,” Bundy said. “I think the only way to help them is to get them out of this unsafe situation.”

One person spoke about the issue. He said he has lived next to the apartment complex for nine years and knows several residents who live there. He said the owners of the complex have neglected many maintenance and safety issues over the years.