Housing of Last Resort, Part 2
Posted on Thursday, April 5 2007 by Heather Brandon
Last year, the non-profit Concerned Citizens for Springfield (of which I am a board member) brought Longhill Omega, LLC to Housing Court for numerous code violations at Longhill Gardens Condominiums between Longhill and Edgeland Streets, where the LLC has a majority ownership stake (192 of 211 units). Part one of an interview with CCS board members Russell Seelig and Bill Malloy was recently published here.
On March 29, a cold and brilliantly sunny day, I toured the complex with Seelig and Malloy. We viewed a number of attempts to come within code compliance, such as a newly-paved parking lot where Seelig said the LLC is now attempting to rent out individual parking spaces to tenants (with only two to three takers so far). At the lot, drainage grates were installed, but in such a way that water flows out into the street rather than into the grates, and some are slightly uphill. No burm was installed along the edge of the lot next to the sidewalk—a three-feet burm is required by city code, Seelig said—but instead, a maximum number of parking spaces were squeezed out, including right up to the edge of the sidewalk.
We also saw some newly-installed hand rails and a much-improved metal fence along a high concrete wall, which up until recently had no fence at all. Initially, my guides told me, the fence was installed without a top cross-piece, so the cyclone mesh material sagged and drooped; in addition, the vertical posts were slightly askew. That has been remedied and the fence looks much better. But Malloy described the situation as one in which improvements are made—attempts to come within code compliance, based on court orders at this point—but then more problems are caused as a result, and tedious details constantly have to be brought back to court, delaying the entire process of improving the health and safety conditions at the complex.
My guides also took me inside two of the five units CCS owns. The units have been vacant ever since CCS purchased them (and for some years prior, as well) because according to the board, the complex is not safe for dwelling. The two primary reasons are the prevalent peeling lead paint problem and the significant lapse in safety due to vandalized main entry doors in nearly every building in the complex. I viewed and photographed many of these.
What struck me about the complex is how handsome it is compared to its reputation. Idealism is evident in the design; planners must have anticipated a social world unto itself among the five buildings of the complex, a kind of housing situation for the people.
The units are dignified and pleasant-feeling inside, with healthy-sized windows offering enjoyable views and generous light. The kitchens and bathrooms are efficient and decent. Between the buildings and off to the sides and back there are paved walks and charming private entrances.
Light-filtering glass block, now vandalized and used as stairwell ashtrays, adorns the narrow vertical window slots showing the locations of stairways. Where awnings have been replaced, doorways have some appeal.
Original metal casement windows were placed innovatively on the corners of the brick buildings, in the once-popular international style mode, which was known for showing off the capabilities of metal support structures (sleeker and slimmer in profile) over that of stone and brick, especially at weight-bearing locations. Now those metal support structures at the very corners must remain (rusted and with peeling paint), even as the windows must be replaced (with today’s more practical and economical vinyl). Still, one can look at all of that in sum and appreciate that at one time, this was a modern, attractive, and socially conscious space. Now, it appears to be none of those, but hope remains. Click on the images for more.
