Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Safety Displacement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City says Douglass Manor likely to close Sept. 13; HUD, owner communications unclear
Summary
City staff told council the troubled Douglass Manor building is expected to close on Sept. 13. HUD relocation services and the property owner have not provided clear, timely information, and the city is planning for resident relocation, storage of belongings and possible enforcement steps if the owner remains unresponsive.
City staff told the Webster Groves City Council on Sept. 2 that Douglass Manor — a building with numerous code violations — appears likely to be closed on Sept. 13 and that communications with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the property owner have been inconsistent. The city said it is preparing relocation support and contingency enforcement actions.
City staff member Marie (role/title not listed) said HUD’s relocation specialists appear to have vacated the site and that the city has been unable to confirm whether HUD personnel will be on site. “We were not notified of that,” Marie said, adding that HUD staff told the city they are restricted from coordinating directly with relocation specialists and have not responded to follow-up inquiries.
The city has been tracking resident counts and relocation status but does not have a firm number of people who remain in the building or who are enrolled in HUD voucher programs. Marie said the last number reported by a relocation specialist was seven residents but that the specialist did not clarify which of those were HUD voucher recipients or market-rate tenants. That number is therefore “not specified,” Marie told the council.
City staff said multiple departments — fire, police and planning, among others — have been involved in preparations. The city has issued summonses and a court “show cause” order scheduled for Sept. 10. Marie said the city has enforcement tools available, including expenditures to remediate code violations and, as a last resort, condemnation and demolition, though she emphasized the city preferred the owner bring the building into compliance.
City Manager Dr. Peoples and staff said they were planning for the likely Sept. 13 closure under the assumption that HUD would not have personnel on site to assist that day. Staff said their immediate operational concerns include ensuring residents have housing and access to their belongings after the building is closed and identifying agencies that can provide temporary storage, shelter and assistance.
In public comment, resident Dave Buck urged community-driven temporary solutions and offered private housing space as an example of short-term assistance. He said neighbors and local groups can play a role but did not present a formal city plan.
The city said it is attempting to get clearer counts from HUD and the relocation specialists and will continue internal planning. If the owner continues to be unresponsive, the city told council it has a range of remedies it may deploy, and staff will return with recommendations or actions as the situation evolves.
