Syracuse, N.Y. — City Hall’s top lawyers are exploring ways to either shut down or take over the Skyline Apartment building on James Street, which has become the city’s most problematic apartment complex, according to Mayor Ben Walsh.
Walsh said the city has ramped up efforts over the last month to improve living condition at the 12-story building, which has been the source of hundreds of calls for police this year and has more than a dozen open code complaints.
Still, the condition has worsened as the building has become a hotspot of violence and drug activity. Wednesday, a 93-year-old woman was found murdered in her apartment.
“I’m angry and frustrated,” Walsh said. “I’ve had a pit in my stomach about this property. It’s been on our radar a long time. We’ve been working really hard to address the issues.”
Walsh said his office keeps a list of the city’s most problematic buildings that his staff calls “the dirty dozen.” Skyline is at the top of that list.
“For me, this is public nuisance No. 1,” he said.
This year alone, police have been called to Skyline more than 500 times, he noted.
The building is owned by Green National -- a property management company run by Troy Green and his father, former professional football player Tim Green. The Greens have been trying to sell the building for more than a year.
On Feb. 5, the city conducted a surprise inspection at Skyline with officials from the codes, police and fire departments as well as someone from the county health department. Those inspectors found parts of the building brimming with garbage and feces. One housing official said the stairwells were being used as a bathroom.
Walsh said the report he received from that inspection prompted him to reach out personally to the owners. He said he had a blunt conversation with the building’s operations manager, Chris Moreland, on Feb. 9 where he expressed his concerns.
“It seems to me they don’t want anything to do with it,” Walsh said. “But the reality is, they own it. And they are not even coming close to meeting the responsibilities of a property owner. I’m very concerned for the people living there now.”
City Hall has been exploring legal action against the owners and also helping court prospective buyers for the building.
The city’s corporation counsel is looking at nuisance abatement laws, Walsh said, which could allow the city to empty out the building. That isn’t ideal, though, since it would mean displacing hundreds of people who live there.
Corporation counsel is also exploring receivership -- an arrangement where the city would take over ownership of the building. The city would need to prove in court that the owners have created an unacceptable environment that’s a health and safety hazard.
“Nothing is off the table,” Walsh said.
At the same time, the city is seeking a new owner for the building, which has 365 apartments.
Walsh said housing officials have spoken with a developer in Boston and several others who have shown interest. While the city can’t broker a deal, it could sweeten the pot for the right buyer.
“Our leverage really comes through any request for assistance,” Walsh said. That includes grants for renovations or tax breaks through the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency. “We certainly want the right owner to take over.”
Chris Baker is a public affairs reporter for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him via email at cbaker@syracuse.com or follow him on Twitter.
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Read more on Skyline:
- Family IDs 93-year-old woman murdered in Skyline Apartments
- Inside Tim Green’s Skyline Apartments: Murder, drugs and filth. Tenants, cops say enough is enough
- Woman killed at Skyline Apartments on James Street
- Police, tenants push football legend Tim Green’s firm to fix nightmare apartments