SPRINGFIELD — Code infractions, ineffective security standards and sanitation issues were among the numerous concerns residents of the Springfield Gardens apartments raised during a joint Economic Development and Public Safety Committee meeting on Feb. 23. The vocal response from constituents is backed by a call to action from city leaders who want to see positive changes with the properties.

Springfield Gardens is one of the largest private landowners in the city, owning more than 1,000 resident units.

Background

Prior to the meeting, residents of Springfield Gardens were already expressing their frustrations. Several took part in a protest on Dec. 6, 2022, across the city to highlight their concerns with the facility.

On Jan. 30, a fire took place at 2413 Main St. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno later concluded in a Feb. 6 press release that the fire was attributed to squatters due to a lack of security in one of the Springfield Gardens properties. The incident displaced 20 families and damaged adjacent buildings, including a New North Citizens Council building that houses their early education program.
Sarno expressed that the incident was an example of Springfield Gardens being “over their head” in keeping up with code standards.

“It is evidently clear that the ownership and management of Springfield Gardens is in over their head … This was clearly evident in the most recent fire in their North End Main Street property, which was attributed to squatters, due to a lack of security on their property,” said Sarno.

Sarno referenced the ongoing legal actions by the Department of Code Enforcement and its Deputy Director Keith O’Conner. Recently, Springfield Gardens was found in contempt by Housing Court Judge Jonathan Kane for their failure to provide adequate security and meet code standards.

The mayor “strongly urged” for state Section 8 subsidized housing establishments and programs to withhold payment to Springfield Gardens. He also stressed that Springfield Gardens properties could go under receivership, which would transfer ownership to a judicially supervised receiver, if repairs do not occur.

“If that does not get their attention, by hitting them in their wallet, to expedite these repairs and security procedures, then nothing will and we will continue to explore all of our options including receivership … I’ve had it with them and their hollow words,” said Sarno.

Economic Development and Public Safety meeting

At the meeting’s onset, Building Commissioner Steve Desilets provided an update on the city’s management of the Springfield Gardens situation. Desilets said the city has received “hundreds and hundreds of complaints” over the past year from residents of the properties.

“The infamous Springfield Gardens has earned their reputation based on the constant problems we’ve had … This has probably been the biggest number of cases we’ve had to handle with any landlord at one time,” said Desilets.

Several residents of Springfield Gardens reflected on their tumultuous experiences with the properties. Their legal representative, Joel Feldman from Heisler and Feldman, said their experience working with the complex has been “unprecedented.”

“We have been working in the city since 1996. I’ve never experienced anything like what has been going on with Springfield Gardens … The scope of the problems is just beyond anything I have encountered,” said Feldman.

Some of the legal recourse so far against Springfield Gardens includes $1,000 a day and $200 a day fines as legal cases continue to appear in housing court over various infractions. One case featured 35 days of contempt charges against the locations.

“That’s only because the failure to make repairs week after week after week … Unfortunately, many of the conditions in my clients’ apartments are not getting fixed,” said Feldman.

Deputy City Solicitor Lisa Desousa confirmed that 23 addresses and around 100 tenants have Housing Court complaints against Springfield Gardens – representing roughly 10 percent of Springfield Gardens’ total tenant base.

Issues that Feldman’s clients raised include an infestation of rodents and cockroaches, intense leaking problems, broken windows and inactive heating.

Resident Michael Wright said he moved to his Central Street apartment in 2018. He shared that Springfield Gardens has ignored several of his maintenance complaints over the years, such as cracks in the walls, inadequate water temperature and ineffective heating.

“No one answers when you place calls to the office, and the maintenance calls are sent to a call service that is utterly useless,” said Wright.

Resident Anna Smith resides at a Springfield Gardens property on Pleasant Avenue after living at School Street. She said crime at the School Street location was exacerbated once Springfield Gardens acquired the building.

“Before they managed that apartment, the crime is nothing like it is now. It’s becoming a crime zone … Springfield Gardens has been creating an environment for the crime to flourish in our city. Multiple empty units have squatters living in them and Springfield Gardens does nothing about them,” said Smith.

Smith said her old residence “began falling apart.” She shared that her family spent days without heat, water and functioning exterior doors while dirty water and black mold began infesting their apartment space.

“Someone needs to answer for all the tenants that are suffering,” said Smith.

Springfield Gardens representative Richard Herbert said the complex is “open to accepting criticism and address the criticism.” He said the critiques divide into two categories — general maintenance that will be addressed by the owners and concerns around crime, for which Herbert believes Springfield Gardens is not directly responsible.

“That’s something that’s outside of our control. The other portion is what’s inside our control – better staff, better training, a more expansive maintenance team … that’s on us. The part with the crime is something we would need to work with the city on,” said Herbert.

Herbert revealed that Springfield Gardens has spent $150,000 in the hiring of a full-time police detail following several safety complaints. They also spent $300,000 on cameras after most were destroyed.

“We’re not doing nothing. We’re clearly looking to address all these concerns,” said Herbert.
Feldman argued that crime was part of Springfield Gardens’ responsibilities. He said the hiring of security came months after requests from tenants. He said many in the apartments live in fear that someone will break into their residencies.

“The crime is Springfield Gardens’ problem … When they are bought as investment properties to make money, then they are supposed to ensure the safety of people that live there,” said Feldman.
Additionally, city leaders expressed their lingering concerns. City Council President Jesse Lederman stressed that conditions need to be improved. During an on-site visit, Lederman said the entire building of a complex was unsecured.

“This is not a maintenance issue; this is an issue with the overall structural condition of the large portfolio of properties that these folks have assumed … I am confused as to how this claim that there is a failing of the city to maintain a criminal element when every single exterior door was unsecured,” said Lederman.

Lederman asked about the potential of receivership for Springfield Gardens properties. Desousa said that it is a possibility.

“It’s difficult, but the way this is tracking, that could very well be the way this ends up unless there is an extraordinary response from these landlords,” said Desousa.

City Councilor At-Large Justin Hurst supported receivership as a solution to provide immediate aide to tenants.

“My recommendation is to move forward with the extent that we can in the law to receivership,” said Hurst.

Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards expressed that living conditions must be improved at Springfield Gardens.

“It’s the living conditions that is the worst thing they have to deal with … they should not have leaking water, have holes in their walls [and] floors that are not secure,” said Edwards.

In response, Herbert reiterated his belief that criminal activity is not Springfield Gardens sole responsibility.

“The idea that crime does not come into play here is just not true … My client is not qualified crime fighters, they need the city’s help,” said Herbert.

Herbert said Springfield Gardens is committed to hiring a “more expansive maintenance and a more responsible staff.” He said Gardens is committing $7.3 million toward infrastructure improvements.

Herbert also stressed that Springfield Gardens only has a fraction of its tenant base issuing legal complaints.

“It’s a relatively small portion of the portfolio, so to paint the picture that they are doing nothing and not addressing anything is just bologna,” said Herbert.

In the aftermath of the meeting, Sarno issued an update to Reminder Publishing on the Springfield Gardens situation.

“A recent court order which ordered them to provide police security for some of the properties that were flagged by our Code Enforcement officials will hopefully help address this particular issue. Again, all options are on the table and my administration will continue to hold Springfield Gardens accountable in Housing Court.”

Sarno continued, “Springfield Code Enforcement and our Law Department continue to push Springfield Gardens to get their properties into compliance. Our residents deserve housing that is safe and healthy and my administration will continue to hold Springfield Gardens accountable until they can provide these basic living conditions for our residents.”