Task force inspects Salem Ridge Apartments; Owner ready to work with them

Updated 4:06 p.m

According to a news release from the City of Salem, the task force studying health concerns at Salem Ridge Apartments went to the complex this morning.

The city says task force members included Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess, Environmental Health Manager with the Virginia Department of Health Dick Tabb, and Rob Baba with Emergency Mitigation Technologies. Salem PIO Melinda Payne says the task force members performed a thorough walk through of the ground floor apartments that have been condemned since the flood of 2004.

“I am pleased to report that no cases of eminent danger concerns were found,” said Boggess in the news release. “We did, however, find some fire code violations that were brought to the attention of apartment management. We have been assured these matters will be addressed immediately,” Boggess added. Those violations include, "safe-guarding vacant premises, abatement of electrical hazards and the storage of combustible materials," according to the news release.

In addition, some mold and water damage was found. Baba plans to recommend some measures for the apartment complex to take to eliminate the mold.

The task force says apartment managers and an attorney for the apartments' owner also went on the walk through.

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Original story 1:17 p.m.

Health concerns at a Salem apartment complex spark action.

As WSLS first broke on Monday, apartment residents Matthew Snider and Carla Kennington-Lee think there is a health hazard in at least one of the condemned units. And the couple believes it's making them sick.

They think it’s because of a leak in the condemned apartment two floors below them. When Matthew went down to check it out, he “noticed extremely large puddle of water, debris smelled disgusting like mold and mildew.” The next day, Matthew said he had to take Carla to the emergency room for asthma.

The City of Salem and building inspectors have not confirmed the mold, but did say there was condensation and sewage back-up in Building 1750 at Salem Ridge. That’s the same building where Matthew and Carla live.

Salem building inspectors say nobody is allowed to live in those bottom apartments that are condemned, from the flooding back in 2004.

Today, the apartment complex's owner, PAMI Willow River LLC, released a statement saying they remain committed to improving the apartment complex, and they are prepare to fully participate in a task force convened by the City. The company adds:

The health and safety of our residents and our employees is paramount. We remain committed to improving the complex and turning the building over to a long-term owner who will invest in major upgrades and enhancements.

In the meantime, we are committed to working with the City of Salem to resolve some issues and restore this asset as an important source of quality affordable housing for Salem residents.

In fact, we have invested $400,000 over the past few months in property renovations, including four new roofs currently under construction.

We also plan to communicate with our residents to explain the progress we’ve been making and listen to their concerns.