On the morning of Saturday February 10, Mayor of Rocky Hill Allan Smith issued the following update on Facebook regarding the status of Concierge.
Over the past 24-48 hours, there have been several significant developments related to the situation at Concierge Apartments. I want to provide residents with a clear timeline of events and confirm where things currently stand.
Timeline and Current Status
At the end of last week, officials from the Town of Rocky Hill determined that all Concierge buildings were unsafe for overnight occupancy. Buildings D and E (400 and
500) did not have functioning fire suppression systems, and Buildings A, B, and C (100, 200, and 300) were in various stages of repair, with many units lacking reliable hot or running water. Given the sub-freezing temperatures that were forecast, the Town determined it was not safe for residents to remain overnight in these buildings.
During this same timeframe, the Central Connecticut Health District issued a Notice of Violation to Concierge Apartments. The Office of the Attorney General also communicated expectations to the property owner, and JRK Property Holdings, the parent company, responded through legal counsel.
On Friday, Congressman John Larson requested that HUD investigate the property owner’s actions.
Yesterday, the Attorney General announced that his office has opened an investigation into Concierge Apartments regarding actions leading up to this situation.
Property Owner Commitments
As of Monday, the property owner submitted a letter to the Attorney General outlining actions they state they are taking both immediately and moving forward. According to that correspondence, the owner has committed to:Immediate Support for Residents
- Paying for alternative lodging expenses for displaced residents until they can return to their homes.
- Assisting residents with relocation and housing arrangements through on-site management and additional corporate staff.
- Maintaining daily communication with residents regarding repair status and relocation updates.
- Providing one month of rent credit to all residents
- Providing either an additional one-month rent credit or allowing lease termination without penalty for residents who lost hot or cold water.
- Reimbursing residents for out-of-pocket expenses related to displacement, including lost food, medications, childcare costs, and similar expenses, without requiring residents to file claims through renter’s insurance.
Ongoing Repair and Operational Efforts
- Deployment of local and out-of-state plumbing and construction crews.
- Continued daily repair activity, including multiple work shifts to complete plumbing and sprinkler repairs.
- Ongoing demolition, pipe replacement, insulation, and related work until units are habitable.
- Continued communication with residents and coordination with Town and State officials.
The property owner has indicated that sprinkler repairs in Buildings D and E are nearing completion and are expected to be tested shortly, which would allow residents in those buildings to return once approved. Work in Buildings A, B, and C continues, with the owner stating they hope residents may be able to return by the end of the week, subject to repair progress and inspection.
Department of Labor Activity
Also on Monday, the Connecticut Department of Labor conducted a visit to the property and identified multiple contractor violations related to workers’ compensation and other labor requirements. Reports are that there were no electricians or plumbers located on-site, and all contractors were from out-of-state. A work stoppage was ordered at that time. The property owner has indicated they are working to address these issues so repair work can resume.
School Transportation and Student Support
Questions have also been raised regarding school transportation and student attendance. Families are currently staying in multiple locations both within and outside town. Parents are encouraged to notify their child’s school of any temporary address changes so that the Board of Education can continue to adjust transportation and support services as needed.Town Position and Next Steps
While the continued cold weather has created additional challenges, the Town’s position has remained consistent from the beginning: the health, safety, and well-being of our residents is our top priority. Our goal is to see residents safely returned to their homes as quickly as possible, while ensuring that repairs are completed properly and that steps are taken to prevent similar disruptions in the future. We appreciate the level of attention that this issue has received from multiple agencies. As many residents have witnessed, Town staff has worked tirelessly for weeks now. They have truly showed us that we have the best people working in our town. Our community members have also stepped up in a huge way to support those affected. Local businesses, and even total strangers have donated time and resources to improve this experience for displaced neighbors.
Assistance and Resources
Residents with questions regarding their individual housing arrangements or reimbursement should continue to contact Concierge management directly using the phone numbers and email addresses they have provided, or by visiting the on-site office.
or additional assistance, residents may contact Rocky Hill Human, Youth and Seni ervices for support and connection to available resource
https://www.rockyhillct.gov/209/Human-Youth-and-Senior-Services
Leave a Reply