Water’s Edge tenants push back on City’s ruling to condemn Ocean Ave. high-rise

Residents deny Health officials’ reasoning, worried over being displaced

By Barbara Taormina

REVERE – The Board of Health voted unanimously to condemn Water’s Edge, a 13-story high rise located at 364 Ocean Ave., during their last meeting late last month. The vote came after a long and difficult hearing that began with lawyers for the City of Revere and the property owner and with some of the residents in the 41 units of the building that are occupied.

Attorney Paul Tellier, who represented the city, described a long history of serious problems with the property that date back to 2017. Tellier said the fire alarm system isn’t functional; the fire pump system doesn’t work and would be unable to reach the upper floors; sprinklers are rusted and clogged; and fire doors are broken. According to Inspectional Services, the trash room is packed, the trash chute jammed, there are holes and mold on the walls and the building is infested with rodents.

According to the City, property owners were given an order to remedy problems in 2017 and were again ordered to make repairs in 2022, but problems continued. The building has been required to keep a fire watch, a team of Revere firefighters, at the building, because of the inadequate fire suppression systems. Tellier noted that the property owner has stopped paying the fire department for the fire watch as well as the mortgage and taxes for the property.

Lawyers for the property owner questioned the Board’s authority to condemn the building. They also cited a number of procedural issues involved with a condemnation, and they said the City has not conducted follow-up inspections to see what repairs have been done.

A group of current residents at Water’s Edge attended the hearing. Some said several of the problems cited by the City, such as mold and trash, do not exist. The tenants pleaded with the Board to allow them time to find other housing if the building is condemned. State law requires owners of condemned buildings to find comparable homes for displaced tenants for the remainder of their leases, but Water’s Edge tenants said the building’s owner would not or could not provide that type of assistance.

“The building has a long history of code violations dating back to 2017,” said Tellier. “The conditions make it unfit for human habitation.”

But Water’s Edge resident Sylvia Smith disagreed and told the Board condemnation would leave hundreds of people homeless – unable to find housing as affordable as where they now live. “Two years ago, they inspected and they never came back,” said Smith. “They don’t Iive there. They don’t know. Shame on all of you for trying to put us out in the street at the end of summer.”

Mayor Patrick Keefe, Jr. released a statement with respect to the condemnation of the building: “The Board of Health took necessary action in condemning 364 Ocean Avenue, and I am grateful for the careful consideration they have given to this matter. After two years of attempts to work with this property owner to make the necessary improvements and ensure the safety of this building, it has become very clear that they have no intention to do so. Enough is enough.

The City of Revere will not allow negligent property owners to put the health and safety of Revere residents at risk. Waters Edge Limited Partnership has created an unimaginably difficult situation for their tenants, and displayed a total disregard for their wellbeing and dignity. In the absence of any cooperation from these property owners, the City will continue to work directly with residents to support them in finding safe housing.

The residents of 364 Ocean Avenue have asked for a thoughtful approach to this condemnation, and we will do just that, allowing for the proper time to support careful relocation. We will not turn our backs on these residents. Our team and advocates have been on the ground for the past month, working to provide the necessary assistance and resources to those affected.

The City of Revere will continue to staff the building with 24-hour fire personnel, regardless of the owner’s unwillingness to cooperate with and pay for this City resource, as obligated under the law.”