High-rise officials, tenants show off myriad of building improvements

Published 1:43 am Wednesday, April 25, 2007

By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Have you seen us lately?
This is the question Niles Housing Commission President Tom Bybee and interim Executive Director Dave Martin have been asking about the high-rise apartment complex at 251 Cass St.
"The commission has made every effort to make this a secure and comfortable place for our residents to live," Bybee said.
As with any apartment building, access by strangers is always a concern. The former guard-room has been replaced with a new security camera system.
"We take the security of our residents very seriously. There are cameras covering all the common areas such as the new sitting areas, smoking room and all the hall and foyer areas," Martin said.
Recent concern led to a quick reminder being posted for residents and visitors alike. It warns residents and visitors that there is zero tolerance in the building for any illegal drug activity.
It warns residents that if they are involved with illegal drugs, their lease can be terminated. The notice also urges any tenant who is suspicious of anyone in the halls or who smells anything of concern to call the police.
It also informs residents that the building is under the city's Padlock Law ordinance.
"The Padlock Law states that if a tenant is arrested for either using or in possession of illegal drugs and is not evicted, the city can send the building owner a letter. The letter will state that either the offending tenant is to be evicted immediately or the city has the option of boarding up the premises and refusing anyone to inhabit there for I believe it is a six-month period. I believe Niles is one of the first city's to enforce this," Martin said.
"This is our residents' home. The Housing Commission is the landlord. Even though this is a HUD building, the tenants have all the legal rights and responsibility as does any other resident of Niles," Bybee said.
Improvements to the building in areas of safety and general comfort for its residents have been ongoing during the past couple of years.
The 130-unit apartment building and 50 houses throughout Niles are a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded buildings under the care of the Niles Housing Commission.
Residents like Jean Thomas appreciate all that has been done to make life better there.
"I have lived here for 18 years and hope I will live here 18 more," she said.
Bybee is most proud of the improvements that have been made to assure residents' safety in case of fire. The column above the main entries houses the foyers on each floor just outside the elevators.
Each floor has been designed as an area of refuge. Should a fire occur, residents have only to make their way to the elevator foyer.
The outside area by the entrances has been made easily accessible for ladder trucks. Firefighters can help residents out of the large windows designed for their escape in an emergency.
Most days, however, this is the area you will find residents working out on the new exercise equipment installed on each floor. Maxine Hunt has lived at the apartment for four months and as a diabetic appreciates the help with weight control.
"I've lost 30 pounds. I use the equipment every day," Hunt said.
With security enhanced, the tenants are free to enjoy other improvements. A big screen television and vending machines for drinks and snacks has been added to the former dining room. There are also two pianos.
"We have a few residents who really play well. I was surprised at just how many people take advantage of the machines for a coffee or soft drink," Martin said.
Across from a new office area, there is a sitting room for those who want to visit with other tenants or who are waiting for a ride. By the entrance there is glassed-in patio room, for smokers.
"This place just gets better and better. And you can credit this guy, Dave Martin, with how we are enjoying staying here," tenant Bill Amazi said.
From the community computer in the downstairs sitting room to the freshly painted hallways to the washers and dryers that supply income to the Tenant Committee fund, the building is home to its residents.