What’s the Latest: Tenants upset with squalid conditions at central Edmonton apartment building
Residents of the Parkside Village Square apartment building in the McCauley neighbourhood of central Edmonton have raised concerns over deteriorating living conditions, reporting a week without heat or running water following a basement fire. The owner, Ersen Lika, attributed the disrepair to vandalism and issues with individuals trespassing in the building.
Utility workers were seen near the Parkside Village Square building on Thursday, as the owner, Ersen Lika, stated he is collaborating with EPCOR to restore power and heat. Police have responded to the residence multiple times but have been unable to prevent transgressors from re-entering the property after removal.
Residents of the Parkside Village Square apartment building have expressed frustration over ongoing disrepair, with no heat or running water following a recent fire. The owner, Ersen Lika, has acknowledged the issues and stated he is “working with EPCOR to restore power and heat to the building,” while noting that police interventions to remove trespassers have been ineffective.
What remains unclear — It is unknown when electricity and heat will be restored to the Parkside Village Square building.
Tenants express concerns over poor conditions at Edmonton apartment complex
Residents of Parkside Village Square, a central Edmonton apartment building, are expressing frustration over deteriorating living conditions following a week without heat or running water. The issues arose after a fire in a vacant basement suite, exacerbating an atmosphere already marked by disrepair and vandalism. Tenants report the theft of copper piping and wiring, while the building’s exterior shows signs of neglect.
Shawne Edel, a resident, described the worsening situation, stating, “It’s gotten really bad in the last year with the homeless coming in, the gangs coming in.” Her roommate, Darlene Lent, added that the presence of outsiders has led to feelings of intimidation, noting, “There’s people always in the halls. We see only junk.” Reports of drug paraphernalia and evidence of drug use within the building further highlight tenant concerns.
Following the basement fire, tenants have faced severe disruptions, with Dafala Makki stating, “This fire, since it happened, the heat is cut, plus electricity is being cut, so we’ve been with no running water, no toilet to use — nothing.” Residents are relying on space heaters to combat the cold, as many baseboard heaters remain inoperative.
Ersen Lika, the building’s owner, attributed many of the issues to uninvited individuals entering the property, stating, “These are not tenants of the building. They are all homeless from the street, coming and destroying.” He voiced frustrations about the ineffectiveness of police efforts, explaining that “Police came, two hours, they kick them out, they come back. But look at the damages.”
Despite ongoing efforts to restore services in the building, residents feel urgency for immediate improvements. Makki emphasised the need for intervention, saying, “They should really help us in this situation so we can live a better life, ’cause this is hard on all of us.” Utility workers were seen at the site, as the community hopes for swift repairs to their living conditions.