Jones Walker Apt. management pleads patience as deadline approaches

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Some of the renovations being done on the water pipes at the Jones Walker Apts. as the deadline for completion approaches. Photo via WINK News.
Some of the renovations being done on the water pipes at the Jones Walker Apts. as the deadline for completion approaches. Photo via WINK News.

Joshua Taylor, compliance manger for Treetop Development, which owns Jones Walker Apartments said the repair project will not be easy or quick.

“You know you can’t build Rome in a day,” Taylor said. “We’re trying to do basically two years worth of work in two months.”

Taylor took over the repairs in September, when the Department of Housing and Urban Development instructed the owners they had 60 days to clean up the living conditions.

Since then, there has been additions such as new doors, paint jobs and windows. Also, several apartments were gutted and renovated. The roof is a work-in-progress.

A city memo said the owners brought 11 code violations into compliance, but 47 cases remain open.

Renovations being done at the Jones Walker Apts. Photo via WINK News.
Among the renovations at the Jones Walker Apts. Photo via WINK News.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Mayor Randy Henderson said. “It’s never fast enough.”

While Henderson has seen improvements since his visit with HUD, he is also aware of the delays.

“Elements that are involved, permanent, inspections, ordering product, the competition for construction workers,” Henderson said, “all of these things are culminating in a time where it’s the perfect opportunity for delays and stumbling.”

The deadline is approaching at the end of this week. But Henderson said HUB could give the owners more time.

“If enough progress can be demonstrated that they be given the opportunity to finish,” Henderson said.

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