Vacate today, dangerous building’s tenants told

The residents of the Granada Apartments in the city's Ogontz section were hastily packing up and moving out this morning.

The city's Department of Licenses and Inspections originally ordered them to vacate by 9 a.m., because the complex in the 6100 block of North 17th Street is unsafe.

The deadline was extended, though, so residents had more time this morning.

Major concerns about fire safety were behind the short-term notice to take over the property, the most drastic measure that L&I can take, according to Maura Kennedy, a spokeswoman for the city.

The building's inoperable alarm system was determined to be beyond repair, the emergency lighting system wasn't working either, and fire exitways - stairwells or exterior escapes - were in disrepair, she said.

On Monday, L&I inspectors checked out a report that the alarm system had been vandalized, and on Tuesday evening informed the residents of this morning's deadline. Representatives of the city's Office of Supportive Housing were at the meeting, offering help.

"We recognize that this was short-term notice for the residents . . . so we are working them to provide emergency housing services," Kennedy said.

Tenants would be able to leave some belongings and retrieve them later, she said.

The three-story building, which has about 50 units, had other serious violations, too. After an Aug. 18 inspection, L&I announced that the owners would have to cease operation on Sept. 21. The alarm problem simply accelerated the timetable, Kennedy explained.

Problems included a busted windows, gaping holes in walls, heaps of trash, and a large bug population, according to 6ABC.com.

The ownership of the building was unclear because of a bankruptcy filing, Kennedy said.