“No One is Looking Out for the Kids” — Park Plaza Resident Calls on Elected Officials to Take Action
“No One is Looking Out for the Kids” — Park Plaza Resident Calls on Elected Officials to Take Action
Rose spoke out about being uprooted with her two children and forced into a one-room extended-stay situation for months due to the conditions at the apartment complex — which she said was unacceptable for a family that includes a teenage boy.
“[The kids], they’re getting uprooted at school. There was school testing last week, when they told me I needed to be out [of the hotel], that means they can’t study for their tests if they don’t have the wi-fi hooked up,” said Rose. “We had beds brought in wrapped in unwrapped, so I need new beds. Some of the beds were left outside — we need beds, we need to make sure we don’t have mold, it’s too quick to have to move back in.”
She made the comments during an interview with GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle on GoLocal LIVE on Tuesday. Former U.S. Robert Corrente who represents the landlord was extended an offer to appear on LIVE to discuss the situation at the apartments.
“I think [elected officials] should have an oversight of HUD — and Rhode Island Housing — and the town — because it has been a nightmare trying to get in contact with [Rhode Island] Housing, who refers it to HUD, and the town, and we’re in the middle of an argument between the owner and the town, while we’re sitting in municipal court with lawyers trying to help us," said Rose.
Senator Jack Reed’s office sent the following statement to GoLocalProv.com on Monday.
“Residents should not be forced to return to unsafe units and it’s the landlord’s responsibility to bring them up to code. Senator Reed contacted HUD to ensure they are closely monitoring health and safety concerns at the Park Plaza Apartments and holding landlords accountable,” said Chip Unruh in Reed’s office.
Lawsuits — and Lawyers
A separate lawsuit involving the property is now pending in Superior Court. The first of what lawyers say will be upwards of 40 lawsuits were filed in Superior Court last week alleging the Park Plaza development in Johnston has been “grossly negligent.”
The lawsuit filed in Superior Court on behalf of a Johnston mother Emily Valle and on behalf of her children allege that the owners of the Johnston property and two management companies, “Throughout her residency at Park Plaza, Plaintiff has endured a number of hazardous and unhealthy conditions on the premises, including flooding, water damage, dangerous microbial growth, and contamination caused by the wanton neglect of the defendants."
The suit goes on to allege, “As a result of continued exposure to the hazards and contamination at the premises of Park Plaza, Plaintiff and her children have suffered numerous injuries, including but not limited to respiratory & pulmonary symptoms, severe emotional distress, and property damage. Despite Plaintiff’s repeated complaints to the defendants, little was done to remediate the hazards in her apartment until recently.”
Robert Corrente, the former U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, represents the property owner. The 62 unit apartment complex at 20 Park Street is owned by a Rhode Island corporation tied to a California developer Brian Chen-Chih Chen, according to Rhode Island business records. Corrente did not respond to questions about the lawsuit.