Nov 27, 2007 1:55 pm US/Eastern
Luxury L.I. Apartment Buildings Overcome With Mold
More Than 400 Tenants, Including Jets & Islanders Players Given 4 Months To Get Out
WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
More than 400 renters are being forced to move out of their brand-new luxury apartments in a Long Island complex after massive a mold and mildew problem spread through the buildings, even causing some to grow ill.
Some of the tenants in the 21-building Archstone Westbury community -- which is just one year old and considered a promising mixed-income housing experiment -- include players on the New York Jets and New York Islanders.
They'll have until March 31 which is when their lease will be terminated.
"Their last three days of rent will be abated and we are providing relocation compensation package as well," said David Pendery, a spokesman for Archstone-Smith.
Trapped water, leaky windows, grotesque mold, have reportedly sickened many residents and the Archstone Company, based in Colorado, wonders if architecture and design are to blame.
"I've just lost my voice and I don't know why, and now I've linked it to this situation," said Archstone resident Vincent Lee.
Archstone-Smith in a statement said the problem began after water seeped through the exterior skin of the property, causing severe and widespread damage to each and every building. Restoration and reconstruction could take at least a year.
Residents have called the mold situation outrageous and disgusting and said they've endured leaky windows and grotesque mold growing right in their homes.
"The situation at Archstone Westbury constitutes 'catastrophic damage' that requires us to vacate the community during construction for the safety of our residents," said Jack R. Callison, Jr., president, U.S. operations, Archstone-Smith, in a statement.
Rents range from $2,400 per month for a one-bedroom apartment to $3,400 for a three-bedroom apartment. The affordable housing units make up about 20 percent of the complex and rent for about a third of the market value.
A spokesman for the development says residents would be given "relocation assistance packages" amounting to a month's rent and another sum of between $1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,900 for a three-bedroom apartment.
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