A former tenant of Springfield Garden Apartments in DeWitt is trying to hold the former owner responsible for the damage done by mold to her health, clothing and furniture. Gwendolyn James lived in a basement apartment, which flooded and caused the mold.
She claimed Longley-Jones’s staff repeatedly ignored her concerns, denied responsibility and threatened her. James and about a dozen other members of Syracuse Tenants United protested near their offices on Vine Street in Liverpool. James said company officials saw the damage firsthand.
“They found out where the mold came from. It came from the foundation. Theywent in the room, and saw how it messed up all the furniture. I bought furniture 3, 4, 5 times. I haven’t received any money yet. No compensation. Nothing,” James said.
Michael Kelly, an organizer with the tenants group, stood in solidarity with James.
“This rally is in escalation. We came on February 1st to do a direct action. We delivered a demand letter asking for money for the furniture that [Gwen] had to replace. Emergency moving expenses because [Gwen] had to move out of the apartment, and Gwen’s had a lawsuit for years,” Kelly said.
He said James is demanding more than $10,000 to cover her costs. Longley Jones made a settlement offer of half that amount nearly two years ago, but James declined. The case is stalled in civil court. Longley Jones officials did not return calls for comment.
