3 months ago
2
The Bankhead Towers' trouble started with a Sept. 27 inspection.The city of Birmingham claims they found two dozen safety code violations. They included broken generators, elevators, and improperly installed smoke detectors.So, the city deemed the building uninhabitable and condemned it. The building’s owner was ordered to relocate all of the residents until the proper repairs were made. The following message was seen posted on the building's front door:“Whereas, it has been determined by appropriate inspection that the building to which this order is attached does not comply with the provisions of ordinance No.15-164 of the general code of Birmingham, Alabama, SEC. 108.5 of the property maintenance code as codified in the city of Birmingham Technical Code, 2015. All persons are hereby warned that it is unlawful to rent, lease, occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of this building for human habitation or as a place of employment for humans, or to remove or deface this placard except as provided in section 108.4.1 of the property maintenance code for the city of Birmingham, 2015. Any person failing to comply with said notice shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor or civil infraction as determined by the local municipality and the violation shall be deemed as a strict liability offense which may impose fines up to $500.00 per day for each offense.”A large police presence was spotted at Birmingham's Bankhead Towers Thursday afternoon, reportedly there to help the city facilitate the removal of remaining residents from the recently condemned apartment building.“The building has previously been condemned and determined to be unsafe and unfit for human habitation," said Rick Journey, city of Birmingham director of communications. "It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure residents vacate the premises. While the vast majority of residents have been relocated, a small number of residents have not departed. The city is exercising its process in the condemnation procedure to ensure the safety of the remaining residents. Social services have been engaged to assist residents at the scene.”Friday, we spotted a few more people collecting their final belongings. James Miles has lived in the 98-year-old former hotel for nine years. He calls it home.However, until a recent unit transfer, he claims the conditions inside had made him sick."My whole ceiling leaking, and there was mold and things there. And I had to go back and forth to the hospital," Miles said. The Bankhead Towers apartment building will remain off-limits to residents until the safety violations are fixed.Miles has not been told how long he will be living at an area Holiday Inn until that happens. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
The Bankhead Towers' trouble started with a Sept. 27 inspection.
The city of Birmingham claims they found two dozen safety code violations.
They included broken generators, elevators, and improperly installed smoke detectors.
So, the city deemed the building uninhabitable and condemned it.
The building’s owner was ordered to relocate all of the residents until the proper repairs were made.
The following message was seen posted on the building's front door:
“Whereas, it has been determined by appropriate inspection that the building to which this order is attached does not comply with the provisions of ordinance No.15-164 of the general code of Birmingham, Alabama, SEC. 108.5 of the property maintenance code as codified in the city of Birmingham Technical Code, 2015. All persons are hereby warned that it is unlawful to rent, lease, occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of this building for human habitation or as a place of employment for humans, or to remove or deface this placard except as provided in section 108.4.1 of the property maintenance code for the city of Birmingham, 2015. Any person failing to comply with said notice shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor or civil infraction as determined by the local municipality and the violation shall be deemed as a strict liability offense which may impose fines up to $500.00 per day for each offense.”
A large police presence was spotted at Birmingham's Bankhead Towers Thursday afternoon, reportedly there to help the city facilitate the removal of remaining residents from the recently condemned apartment building.
“The building has previously been condemned and determined to be unsafe and unfit for human habitation," said Rick Journey, city of Birmingham director of communications. "It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure residents vacate the premises. While the vast majority of residents have been relocated, a small number of residents have not departed. The city is exercising its process in the condemnation procedure to ensure the safety of the remaining residents. Social services have been engaged to assist residents at the scene.”
Friday, we spotted a few more people collecting their final belongings.
James Miles has lived in the 98-year-old former hotel for nine years.
He calls it home.
However, until a recent unit transfer, he claims the conditions inside had made him sick.
"My whole ceiling leaking, and there was mold and things there. And I had to go back and forth to the hospital," Miles said.
The Bankhead Towers apartment building will remain off-limits to residents until the safety violations are fixed.
Miles has not been told how long he will be living at an area Holiday Inn until that happens.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
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