Water’s Edge property to be reviewed by Board of Health for condemnation following history of gross negligence

Owner has failed to address life safety violations since 2022, with other violations dating back to 2017

Special to The Advocate

The City of Revere is taking decisive action to protect the residents of Water’s Edge Apartments on Ocean Avenue, moving for a condemnation hearing following ongoing violations and gross negligence by the property owners, Water’s Edge Limited Partnership. A public hearing by the Revere Board of Health will be held on August 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers to review current status and act on the health and safety risks posed to residents at the 364 Ocean Ave. property.

For the past two years, the City of Revere has attempted to work with building ownership to address the serious health, safety and maintenance issues at Water’s Edge Apartments. Following a June 2022 fire and subsequent condemnation at 370 Ocean Ave. – another property under the same ownership with a history of safety and maintenance violations – hundreds of Revere residents were displaced. Following an inspection in 2022, the City of Revere took legal action against Water’s Edge Limited Partnership to force repair work to be completed, to no avail. Ownership has failed to make meaningful efforts to repair the property, which remains in a state of disrepair and has fallen into severe financial troubles, including mechanics liens, back taxes and other unpaid debts.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Cheever, Revere’s Chief Fire Inspector, said, “The building continues to have ongoing public safety issues related to the fire protection systems and safe building egress. At this point, we can no longer risk the safety of the residents of the property.”

Conditions at 364 Ocean Ave. have deteriorated to the point that Water’s Edge had to be required to stop renting additional apartments, leaving the building more than half empty: The City of Revere estimates that approximately 40 units are currently occupied. On Monday afternoon, Revere Department of Public Health staff visited each residence to notify tenants of the status of the building, direct them to legal resources and begin discussions about alternative housing options. The City of Revere, Housing Families, Inc., The Neighborhood Developers, and the Revere Housing Authority will host informational sessions outside the property this week to provide residents with critical information and support services.

Revere Chief of Health and Human Services Lauren Buck was one of the many City employees who delivered this information to residents on Monday afternoon: “We are working with all tenants and will connect them with all housing resources and support available to us.”

The City of Revere remains committed to the safety and well-being of its residents, encouraging all tenants of Water’s Edge Apartments to attend the public hearing and the informational sessions to understand their rights and the available resources.