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Local game-store owner says building has lacked heat since December; council suggests legal and code-enforcement follow-up
Summary
Ryan Castle, co-owner of Celestial Water Games at 448 Market St., told council his business has had no heat since early December; council advised legal options and said code enforcement will investigate and staff will follow up with the property owner.
Ryan Castle, co-owner of Celestial Water Games at 448 Market Street, spoke during public comment to say his business and the two apartments above it have had no heat since early December and that, despite paying rent to the property’s maintenance contractor, the heating issue remains unresolved.
Castle said the building owners are attempting to sell the property and that the tenant business paid rent (to Lou Perry and JP Contracting) in December but has not received heat since then. He asked whether compensation for lost income or rent for the affected period is available.
Council members and staff advised that compensation would not be provided by the city but advised Castle to pursue remedies against the landlord and to consult an attorney; staff said code enforcement is aware and would investigate potential housing-code violations for the residential units above the business.
Why it matters
Lack of heat in occupied commercial and residential space raises health and habitability concerns, could violate local building or housing codes for the residential units, and can affect a small-business owner’s revenue and operations.
Details and next steps
- Owner’s claim: Castle said there has been no heat since the beginning of December; he reported paying $600 monthly rent to the maintenance contractor and said business income fell because customers spent less time in the cold premises.
- Staff response: Council advised the owner to consult an attorney about compensation from the landlord; staff said they would contact the property owner and that code enforcement would look into the residential habitability issues above the business.
- Follow-up: Staff indicated they had left messages for the property owner and would escalate enforcement if needed; staff will report back after the code-office review.
