Springfield Standard

Martin Gugel, the director of Building Development Services for the city, has issued findings on a nuisance property case involving Jenny Lind Apartments at 711 S. Jefferson. The city had previously declared Jenny Lind Hall a nuisance property due to ongoing elevator issues throughout 2024. Following a hearing on September 17, Gugel determined that the building violates City Code Sec. 26-62, which pertains to dangerous and blighted buildings.

In a letter sent to the property owner, Gugel outlined several orders. The owner is required to provide specific documentation within 14 days, including an executed contract with the contractor responsible for repairs and proof of payments as outlined in TKE's "Modernization Proposal." Additionally, they must submit a progress update by the 15th of each month until work is completed.

Gugel stated, “To ensure reasonable progress is being made through this process, the owner shall provide the City a written progress/status update by the 15th of each month until the work is completed.” He added that failure to make reasonable progress could lead to further actions by the city.

City Manager Jason Gage commented on the situation: “The City’s role is to make sure the property owners are making progress as fast as reasonably possible and also try to prevent a situation where tenants are left without a place to stay while the elevators are being repaired.”

The hearing was scheduled after Millenia Housing, the property owners, failed to repair elevators and ceased communication with Building Development Services (BDS). Despite these issues, it was clarified that there are no plans to close Jenny Lind Hall.

Since early February 2024, at least one of two elevators in Jenny Lind Hall has been out of service. BDS began investigating complaints on February 2. In May, property owners informed tenants about plans for modernization but did not follow through with repairs scheduled for late July.

On July 25, BDS posted an order demanding elevator repairs and attempted multiple times to contact building management and Millennia without success. Due to this lack of compliance and communication from Millenia Housing, a hearing was deemed necessary.