Revere seeks emergency action against property owner of condemned high-rise building
REVERE - Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo filed an emergency request for receivership of a condemned high-rise on Wednesday.
A fire took place at Water's Edge on June 21, displacing all of the residents, and the building was condemned by inspectors. Since then, tenants say they have not received a $750 relocation fee or their deposits back from property management company Carabetta Properties.
"I'm so angry. I'm so upset," Arrigo said. "This organization has acted more like a criminal organization than it has a property management company."
A city inspectional services team investigated the building's condition Thursday. Photos from inside the building show extensive damage.
There is a long history of safety issues at the Water's Edge building.
"The fire department is all too familiar with this building and the carelessness and non-responsiveness of the owners, really putting their tenants at risk and firefighters and everybody else in the city for that matter," Fire Chief Chris Bright said.
Arrigo said Carabetta Properties has been issued 70 fines since 2004.
"In addition to the filing today, we have already moved to foreclose on the other three properties owned by the family -- 370, 364 and 388 Ocean Avenue," Arrigo said after the inspection revealed deplorable conditions. "And now we are moving on foreclosure based on the fact that they have outstanding tax title issues and the property owners owe $1.9 million to the city of Revere."
The 100 residents who have been displaced are looking for answers.
"It's very frustrating, like day by day not knowing what you're going to do, where are you going to sleep tonight? What's going to happen with your pets?" Andres Ramirez said. "I don't know what to do at this point. I just feel a little lost."
Arrigo plans to use American Rescue Plan Act funding as an emergency fund to help displaced residents find new permanent housing. A meeting will be held next week for displaced residents to update them on progress and relocation efforts.
Arrigo said Carabetta has "total disregard for human dignity and decency" and the city will take every legal action possible.
