Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Following on the heels of a press conference on Nov. 26 at the site of the Olive Park Village apartment complex, the Independence Plaza Neighborhood Council (IPNC) and Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) held an additional press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 23 to announce a Civil Nuisance suit against the property’s owner.

With the backdrop of a nearby fire-damaged apartment building, Gregg Lombardi, head counsel for NLS –- a not-for-profit law firm specializing in housing issues — opened the press conference with a brief overview of the property conditions at Olive Park Village (2310 E. 9th St.) and concern for its residents.

“In 2016, Olive Park Village was purchased by a shell company, Olive Park Village MO, LLC, which is managed by Millennia Housing Corporation,” stated Lombardi. “They went to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) to get federal funding – taxpayer funding – to pay rent for the people who live here. And they made a promise to HUD, to the renters and the neighborhood, that they would provide simple, affordable, good quality housing. Over the past nine years, they have broken that promise over and over, and over again.”

Lombardi described the numerous issues that neighbors, tenants and city departments have documented over the past year in addition to vacant units that are open to entry.

“We have people breaking in on a nightly basis, getting into these apartments. The conditions here (in this complex) are deplorable- no one should have to live in these conditions,” Lombardi 

said.

On October 20, NLS sent a letter on behalf of the tenants and IPNC, to notify said owner of the suit filed against their company. This letter outlined numerous issues tenants had encountered in the past two years regarding the condition of the apartments units and site overall, documenting a continuous pattern of negligence.

This letter stated that “pursuant to R.S. Mo Section 82.1025 (which is incorporated herein by reference) to put you on notice that the Property is a nuisance as defined by that statute and to inform you that, if you do not repair the damage to the Property within 60 days of the date of this letter to fully abate that nuisance, then the IPNC will bring a civil action in Jackson County Circuit Court in Kansas City, Missouri under R.S. Mo. Section 82.1025 for injunctive relief to ask the Court to require you to abate the nuisance.”

Millennia did not respond to the letter or make any improvements during the required 60 days, according to Lombardi.

Olive Park Village tenants attending the press conference echoed statements made by Lombardi regarding the condition of units and ongoing maintenance issues.

Paris Passion stated that she has lived in this complex for 12 years and had witnessed a steady decline during those years. Passion stated she had three children and there were other families there as well dealing with issues of homeless people hanging around and infections of rodents and insects.

“I’m glad everyone is starting to pay attention and notice that this is a problem,“ she said., in reference to those working on the tenants’ behalf. “I thank everyone.”

Lombardi stated that the City’s Public Safety Task Force had boarded up 20 units in the complex to secure those from entry and has been working to find housing for the families that remain. Six families have moved from Olive Park Village since the Nov. 26 press conference called by City Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley.

Representing the Third District-at-Large, Patterson Hazley has worked to bring attention and City assistance for Olive Park Village residents.

City Council representative Melissa Patterson Hazley spoke with neighbors and tenants during the Dec. 23 press conference.

“It (the complex) is not okay for you to drive by let alone live amongst it,” said Patterson Hazley, “so I’m really proud that we are taking legal steps for receivership to commandeer this property, and get it back to where it needs to be. Kansas Citians depend on affordable housing and should not be exploited because they don’t have a lot of money.”

The process to get to a point where the neighborhood council can file legal action has taken nearly two years. Independence Plaza neighbor Chloe Willet stated she began to document issues at the complex, especially after one building (700-702-704 Olive) burned in July 2023 and sat damaged for months, experiencing additional fires before being demolished in January of this year.

Entrances to boarded up apartments collect trash and debris.

A fire on October 6, called in at 5:00 a.m., destroyed one unit at 2412 E. 9th St. Responding firefighters rescued two adults and one child. A temporary chain link fence was installed to surround the building but has not deterred entry for those determined enough to do so. Trash and burned furniture dot the complex’s parking areas throughout.

To assist tenants, NLS staff reached out to United Way, which has provided funding for security deposits for those who have located affordable housing. Tenants have also been issued protective vouchers through HUD. 

One unit was destroyed and two others damaged

Once all the tenants move out, Lombardi hopes that the owners will abandon the property. His research into the company’s financials revealed that county property taxes are two years delinquent and the property’s mortgage is higher than the current value. New owners that will bring the complex back up to code are being identified and the neighborhood council will have input in the selection process.

Lombardi and Patterson Hazley stated they hoped the City and NLS could continue to work together to push for a solution, “like a one-two punch”.

Olive Park Village spans several blocks, bordered by East Ninth Street, Olive and Park avenues, to East Seventh Street. This complex opened to tenants as Chip Village in October 1973 and was later renamed Olive Park Village.Owner Millennia Housing Corporation uses multiple names and addresses in Cleveland, Ohio, St. Louis and Clayton, Missouri.