New Haven officials are intensifying pressure on a property owner who has left a corner building at 781 Whalley Avenue/50 Fitch Street in a state of disrepair for years. The 41‑year‑old Florida‑based landlord, Sim Levenhartz, was issued an arrest warrant on April 7 for violating the state building code after a 2018 car crash created a large hole in the structure’s floor.
City’s Enforcement Tools
The city’s Building Department, frustrated by Levenhartz’s failure to make required repairs, asked the state prosecutor’s office to approve the warrant. The Livable City Initiative (LCI) also levied more than $200,000 in anti‑blight fines, which compound daily at $2,500 for continued non‑compliance. As of the latest filing, the unpaid balance sits at $259,000, though it could jump to $779,000 if the owner does not complete the work within the 180‑day permit window.
Owner’s Response
Levenhartz’s attorney, Ken Rozich, told the Independent that his client has begun the repair process, citing an engineering study and a permit obtained on May 21 to address the crash damage. Rozich also claimed the city placed the warrant and fines “on hold,” referencing a June 18 email from the city’s corporation counsel. He declined to share the email, describing it as confidential.
City Officials Remain Skeptical
Building Official Bob Dillon, who originally requested the warrant, said the permit is valid for 180 days but no substantive work has begun. “If they do nothing, I will delete the permit then,” Dillon warned. He added that a court appearance often motivates recalcitrant owners to act, and that the warrant remains active because the required paperwork to block off the sidewalk has not been filed.
When a contractor reportedly working on the repairs was asked whether the warrant would disappear if work started, Dillon replied, “I will not release the summons unless work actually happens.” The contractor could not be reached for comment.
Potential Consequences
LCI Executive Director Liam Brennan explained that, if the fines were allowed to compound, Levenhartz’s bill would rise to $779,000. However, the city placed the fines “on hold” at $259,000 after confirming that Levenhartz had performed short‑term shoring work and obtained the repair permit. Should the major repairs not be completed by the June 5 deadline, the fines will immediately resume compounding.
Even if the full $779,000 were owed, the city could not foreclose on the property because its appraised value is $3.37 million—far higher than the fine amount. Foreclosure would require a public sale, potentially transferring ownership to another problem landlord, a scenario the city wishes to avoid.
Community Impact
The building’s condition has become an eyesore at the gateway to Westville, prompting concerns from residents about safety and neighborhood pride. The city’s anti‑blight tools, including the new law allowing daily compounding fines, aim to protect communities from such neglect.
Levenhartz has not responded to requests for comment beyond his attorney’s statements. The arrest warrant remains unserved, and the city continues to monitor the situation closely, ready to enforce further action if the promised repairs do not materialize.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
