After two years of high hopes for the future of the troubled Skyline Apartment complex and no movement since, the City of Syracuse is now seeking a receiver to take over the vacant 12-story James Street property.
The 352-unit complex was already in rough shape when Chicago-based Clear Investment bought it from Green National. It was a crime haven that racked up numerous code violations for deteriorating conditions making it unfit for renters. Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development Michael Collins said there’s been minimal progress and broken promises under the new owner.
“We've had floods, we've had a fire. And we have not had anything productive happen to the building," Collins said. "It is no longer safe and has not been safe for our first responders due to lack of fire suppression or even functional fire alarms.”
Passersby have probably noticed the building's deterioration since Clear Investment bought it two years ago. The windows on the lower level are boarded up, and windows on the upper floors are either broken or wide open. A fence completely surrounds the property. Dumpsters are in both parking lots overflowing with garbage and other debris. Commissioner Collins said it's a big disappointment.
“The community was promised that this building would be renovated, that it would be safe and it would be fully occupied," Collins said. "You told the court that you had the financial capacity to do it and that you had the experience to do it and didn't do it. So there is no reasonable excuse for that.”
In its complaint, the city is asking the state supreme court order Clear Investment to correct all code violations, impose $355,000 in fines for accrued violations, and require a $2 million deposit with the receiver to cover repairs and ongoing maintenance.
