NEWARK, NJ — Newark authorities have released photos taken from inside the Garden Spires housing complex, which recently drew condemnation and a legal complaint from local officials for alleged longstanding issues such as rats, urine, human feces, drug dealers and mold.

Earlier this week, a consortium of officials joined tenants of the Newark apartment buildings at 175 First Street to announce that the City of Newark has filed a legal complaint in Essex County Superior Court against First King Properties and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) over allegedly "uninhabitable conditions" at the two residential towers that make up the complex. A spokesperson for Garden Spire Apartments said that the property's owners are "very disappointed" with the lawsuit, and that owners have been stymied in their effort to sell the property to a "highly qualified buyer" for the past four years. [See Garden Spires' full statement below]



According to the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, current issues at the apartment buildings include: rat-infested and unsanitary stairwells

evidence of urine and human feces

poor or inadequate ventilation which creates severe mold

defective radiators

deteriorated stand pipes

damaged window guards

excessive garbage in public areas

active illegal drug activities City officials recently released a series of photos that depict some of the issues at the apartment buildings. [See more photos in the attached gallery]

According to a statement from city officials:

"The lawsuit seeks the appointment of a receiver and a court order declaring the buildings uninhabitable, as well as the evacuation and relocation of the tenants at the expense of the landlords, First King Properties. Specifically, this action seeks relief on behalf of the city in connection with the numerous documented housing violations by the landlord and the landlord's failure to maintain the property in a livable condition. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is also named in the complaint as it appears that the property owners are inappropriately collecting financial contributions from HUD for apartments that are uninhabitable and/or vacant." First King has a long history of code violations, Newark officials stated.

"For far too long, these horribly managed buildings have been a breeding ground for disease, crime, blight, and suffering in Newark," Mayor Ras Baraka said on Monday. "They have been a stain on our city, and a source of misery and pain for residents. We are determined to ensure a safe and healthy place to live for Garden Spires residents. Working with our state and federal partners, we will remove this blight and provide residents with the housing and community they deserve."



See related article: Newark Apartment Building Raided For Code Violations

GARDEN SPIRES' OWNERS SPEAK

"We are very disappointed at this lawsuit," said Ronn Torossian, a spokesperson for Garden Spire Apartments.