Highland Apartments, 2302 31st Street, to Be Vacated

Posted 12/11/06

The City of Moline recently became aware of two rental housing properties in the City that were without heat, the Monticello Apartments located at 2028 7th Avenue, and the Highland Apartments, located at 2302 31st Street.

With regard to the Monticello Apartments, as of today, all occupied apartment units have an adequate heat supply. Forced gas furnaces were installed over the past week and are pending final inspection by the City’s mechanical inspector.

As for the Highland Apartments, the City became aware of the lack of heat in this building on December 4, 2006. On that same date, the City issued a notice and order to the owners to provide an adequate heat supply by midnight tonight. As of today, no plan for installing an adequate heat supply has been submitted to meet the requirements of the City’s building and housing codes, and property owner Dick Ryan has indicated that the deadline will not be met.

It has been reported to the City that only 6-8 of the 18 units remain occupied at this time, and Mr. Ryan has agreed to provide rooms at a local hotel for the next week for any tenants who are without heat. Mr. Ryan also indicated that he has contact information for alternate housing for displaced tenants. While the City appreciates Mr. Ryan’s efforts concerning temporary housing, because of the continuing lack of permanent heat, the safety of the tenants remains a paramount concern of the City. Therefore, on December 12, 2006, the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Officer will be posting a notice to vacate the premises within seven days by midnight on December 19, 2006. Additionally, while the City has no duty or resources to provide alternate housing to displaced tenants, it will try to assist tenants in locating alternate housing and other social services that they may need. For additional information concerning alternate housing, tenants may contact Kaye J. Whitley at 309-721-8202.