Tenant Bobbi Brooks has had enough. Brooks has demanded an end to icy conditions inside her 776 Mace Avenue apartment.
When frosty winds reached the Bronx in October, Brooks found her apartment radiators cold and dead. Months later, she remains upset and cold. Brooks suspects that her apartment building’s ancient boiler is to blame.
“There’s either an insufficient amount of heat for a very short span of time or no heat at all,” Brooks explained.
In July, Brooks reported several problems in her apartment and stairwell.The Department of Housing Preservation and Development inspected her building and discovered broken windows, cracked plaster, water damage, mold, cockroaches, mice and a broken bathtub.But landlord Nick Grishaj has since fixed those problems.
Brooks still harbors elevator and security concerns.Her building’s elevator often breaks down and traps residents inside. Although Grishaj has installed security cameras, there have been break-ins, Brooks said. Burglars targeted a fifth floor apartment in November, 49th Precinct records show.
Brooks has phoned 311 and Senator Jeff Klein. On Monday, January 4, Klein contacted the Department of Buildings boiler division and HPD.Inspectors visited the building to chat with tenants on Thursday, January 7. They stopped by three apartments on three floors to ask about heat. Some confirmed the December heat problem but consider it solved.
“In these dangerously cold temperatures no one should have to suffer without heat,” Klein said.
Klein plans to check on Brooks again soon.Should the heat problem persist, the senator has promised to arrange another inspection.
Grishaj declined comment.
Reach reporter Amanda Marinaccio at 718 742-3394 or amarinaccio@cnglocal.com
