“The City will now aggressively pursue any and all options,” was the declaration made by Mayor Luke Bronin in regards to holding Emmanuel Ku, owner of the Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apartments (CARA), responsible for gross neglect of the property. Bronin made the decisively bold statement at a May 3 meeting held by CARA resident leaders at HUD’s Downtown Hartford office.

Despite getting $1.6 million a year from HUD and $266,000 in tax abatement, official inspections prompted by the organizing efforts of resident leaders uncovered over 2,000 documented health and safety violations that included prolonged pest and rodent infestation. HUD has issued Ku multiple notices of default, but until recently, Ku seemed untouchable.

Mayor Bronin, who personally accompanied some of the inspections, stated that out of the 64 units inspected, almost all had failed. Mayor Bronin announced that the City would soon finish re-inspecting the apartments and if violations remain, the City plans then to take “aggressive action”. Bronin also mentioned that the City is currently working with counsel regarding Ku’s failure to submit his financials by the stated due date per the abatement agreement.

On November 14, 2017, HUD issued Ku a Demand for Corrective Action that outlined a four-phase work plan that Ku was to complete originally by January 31, 2018. HUD then granted Ku and extension end date in April. HUD received Ku’s certification of completion on May 2 and planned to send an inspection team out the week of May 7 to re-inspect. Results are still pending.

Over 20 clergy from CAC’s Clergy Sponsoring Committee showed up to support the CARA resident leaders at the May 3 meeting. The clergy group met for a pre-briefing at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, which is across the street from HUD’s office. The clergy then met for a debriefing following the meeting.

On May 10, resident leaders and CAC held a strategic meeting at CAC’s office to follow-up on the May 3 HUD meeting. Over 17 people attended, including representatives from Legal Aid, representatives from Blumenthal and Larson’s offices, Lucy Hernandez of the CT General Assembly, Matt Ormseth of the Hartford Courant, and via phone Councilmember TJ Clarke and CT State Prosecuting Attorney Judith Dicine. Both Blumenthal and Larson’s representatives agreed to get the two together at an action in support of the residents’ campaign and agreed on its importance.

Attorney Dicine has requested that the City send its inspection results to her office so that she can bring criminal charges against Ku. In her words, “the nature of the risk now mandates immediate action.” She has agreed to work with HUD, the City, and local attorney, Gayle Hardy, to refer the case to her office immediately. However, Kiley Gosselin, Acting Director of Development Services for the City of Hartford, has made CAC aware of the City’s plan to prosecute Ku in-house. If prosecuted by the city, Ku would face fines that would both put pressure on Ku and benefit the City, but the City lacks the ability to prosecute Ku criminally. Only Attorney Dicine’s office can bring criminal charges against Ku.

Stay tuned to CAC’s webpage for further updates.

 

Media Coverage

Hartford Courant: Bronin Vows To Fine Landlord of Hartford Housing Complex; Penalties Could Reach $10K A Day

Fox 61: Exclusive: Details emerge of troubled apartment complex in Hartford