City Orders Fitchburg Apartment Complex To Clean Up

Tenants File Complaints With State

Posted: 11:45 pm CST March 29, 2004Updated: 4:39 pm CST March 30, 2004

The city of Fitchburg has put an apartment management company on notice to clean up Ridgewood Country Club Apartments or face fines.

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News 3 found an apartment hunters' Web site where prospective tenants can get opinions from others. Of the 34 opinions about Ridgewood only one is positive. The others say, 'Do not live here, it is a huge mistake and a horrible experience.'

Rodney Clark, who lives at Ridgewood, agrees. In his apartment, you get a blast of hot air.

"It is set at 90 degrees," said Clark. "We have got it turned down, but it says it is 90 all the time."

Clark complained to management, and they came to "fix" it. Now the furnace runs constantly or not at all. So to keep it cool, he has to open the sliding glass door, but the screen door is broken.

"They never came back to fix it," Clark said.

Clark said the apartment was not ready on move in-day. Maintenance crews were painting walls and laying linoleum while Clark waited with all his belongings in the rain, he said.

Then he said there were holes in the walls, water damage, peeling paint, painted-over wallpaper, broken doors and locks. In addition, there is a huge pile of abandoned tires in the back of the building, News 3 reported.

Many tenants told News 3 they thought the apartment was a good deal, but now they are now waiting for the end of their contract to leave.

"Our lease is up at the end of May," said Don Enemuoh, Ridgewood Country Club Tenant. "We are not hanging around."

The complaints were so numerous, it got the attention of city hall.

"From the trash, to the broken windows, to the unsecured doors, we do not want people living like that here," said Mayor Tom Clauder.

The city has given CMS Properties in Chicago, the company managing the complex, six months to get things turned around.

CMS told News 3 they are working on a plan of action right now. It begins with a meeting with tenants next Wednesday.

CMS said their main concern was that residents would complain to the city building inspector before notifying apartment maintenance crews. Residents say that is just not true and they have the paperwork to back it up.

"I feel like I get no response from these people," Clark said. "I get, 'They will be by tomorrow,' and they never show up."

Tenants said they are serious about the problems and have collected signatures from 200 unsatisfied residents. They have also filed a formal complaint with the state Consumer Trade and Protection Department.

Tenants will be able to talk directly with the property management company next Wednesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at the Ridgewood office building.

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