Residents of a Middletown, Connecticut apartment building convened on Wednesday to voice mounting concerns about what they describe as ongoing maintenance, health and safety problems at the property owned by Alpha Capital.
Elevator outage strains disabled tenants
For several months the building’s elevator has been out of service, a situation that has especially impacted tenants with disabilities who rely on the lift to reach their apartments. Victoria Kennedy, who uses a wheelchair, said the outage has “significantly affected her daily life,” adding, “Why do I have to pay rent to be hostage in my house for nine months? I literally have to crawl down the stairs.”
Other building systems failing
Tenants also reported that the building’s doorbell and intercom systems are non‑functional, creating additional challenges for visitors and delivery services. The lack of a working intercom, they said, makes it difficult for residents to know who is at the door and hampers security.
Roof collapse, leaks and mold concerns
Beyond the elevator, occupants described structural issues, including a partial roof collapse and persistent water leaks that have been ongoing for an extended period. Several tenants claim to have discovered mold in common areas, raising health‑related worries. “We are here as one big family. I know everybody in the building. They’re all my friends. And I’m concerned for all these people who live here. This shouldn’t happen to the people who pay good money for a place to live,” said resident Troy Gesswin.
Alpha Capital’s response
The property is owned by Alpha Capital, a firm that has faced complaints from tenants at other Connecticut properties. According to the tenants, Alpha Capital has refused to speak with unionized tenants from multiple locations, as well as with elected officials, about the reported concerns. The group plans to share their findings with city officials and the ownership company, urging immediate action. “Spend your money to fix your property. Do it now because we are fed up with your nonsense,” said resident Michele Foye.
Next steps
Tenants indicated they will continue to document the conditions and pursue dialogue with local authorities, hoping municipal code enforcement will compel the landlord to address the deficiencies. NBC Connecticut reached out to Alpha Capital for comment but had not received a response as of Wednesday.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
