Problems Plague Concierge Apartments

Town, state take action to rectify safety and mechanical issues

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Town officials temporarily declared five towers at the Concierge Apartments on Cold Spring Road unfit for habitation after alleged building code violations were discovered including lack of heat, burst pipes, flooding and issues with fire safety.

The situation has attracted the attention of the state and federal governments; U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. John Larson visited the site. The town assisted hundreds of residents with finding alternate housing until repairs are completed.

Town officials report that five buildings containing 544 units were impacted by these conditions and were declared uninhabitable by the Building Department. As this issue went to press, repairs to two of the five buildings had been completed and those tenants were back in their apartments.

Various problems resulted in town officials declaring five buildings at the Concierge Apartments complex unfit for habitation.

The complex is owned by JRK Property Holdings of California. State Attorney General William Tong launched an investigation into these complaints and issued the following statement which reads, in part:

“I made it crystal clear that JRK must develop and implement a plan to ensure that this never happens again and do all that they can to make it right for impacted tenants and their family. The focus of this conversation was on the health and safety of residents and I was absolutely clear that JRK must get residents back into their homes as soon as possible. JRK executives committed to that objective.”

A letter from an attorney with the law firm of Robinson + Cole, representing the JRK Property Holdings and shared by Tong, stated that many of these problems were caused by the recent period of extreme cold weather. It said work was being performed including ripping out sheetrock and other demolition, replacing old pipes and installing insulation and heat tape on new pipes.

The letter also pointed out that these are aging buildings and keeping up with maintenance needs can be a challenge.

Tong fired off a second, more aggressive letter threatening legal action. The law firm responded that Concierge ownership would fairly compensate all affected residents including paying all their alternative lodging expenses until they are able to return to their apartments.

It also pledged a one-month rent credit to these residents, an additional one-month rent credit or the ability to break leases without penalty for those who post hot or cold water, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs including food, medications and alternative child care.

State Sen. Matt Lesser issued a strongly worded letter criticizing the owners of the complex.

“The response from JRK Residential Group is cruel and inhumane, and sadly it falls perfectly in line with their long history of neglect and inattention. There are families with young babies, the elderly, the critically ill … but it appears JRK sees these tenants as nothing more than a rent check,” he wrote.

The town Human, Youth and Senior Services Department assisted more than 2,000 Concierge residents with finding temporary housing. Some remained in town while others temporarily moved to other communities.

This department also coordinated services for those tenants who are ill or in hospice care. Rocky Hill residents and businesses donated food, personal hygiene and various other items to support the displaced tenants.

Town officials are working with the Rocky Hill Public Schools to keep affected children in school. This is complicated by the fact that some of the children now live many miles away.

Town and other resources involved in responding to this situation also include the fire marshal, fire department, building inspectors, emergency management, Central Connecticut Health District and elected officials on the Town Council and Board of Education. They are in daily communication as the situation evolves.

Town Manager Ray Carpentino spoke about this collective response. He praised their work as well as the kindness of so many people and businesses who are donating needed items to the displaced tenants.

“It’s phenomenal what they have done,” he said. The school issue is particularly challenging because they are busy “identifying kids [scattered]all over the state.”

He said the town is working with Concierge and its contractors to remedy the problems so that tenants can return to safe homes.

“They have been chasing these breaks for two weeks now,” he said.

He applauded the work of Melissa Hicks, the director of Human, Youth and Social Services, and her staff.

“There are a lot of things involved. Melissa did a fantastic job securing almost 200 rooms” at local hotels for Concierge tenants, Carpentino said.

The problems will likely linger long after all five buildings are repaired and meet code. Some of the affected residents have filed complaints with the town’s Fair Rent Commission, which is staffed by Human, Youth and Senior services.

This is not the first time the town and JRK Property Holdings have clashed over the conditions at Concierge. The town took legal action in 2023 over alleged building violations and fair rent issues.

“Three years ago, that was a different situation. We’re focused on getting these emergency items fixed and getting these people back into their homes,” Carpentino said.