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Erie resident tells redevelopment authority contractor left hazardous, incomplete work at grant-repaired home
Summary
Terry Darby told the Redevelopment Authority that Titanium Construction left nails and unfinished work at 1249 East 31st Street after a city-funded grant project and that interior leaks persist; authority staff said they will inspect the property when it is actively raining and Aaron will follow up to arrange next steps.
Terry Darby told the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie that work under a housing rehabilitation grant at 1249 East 31st Street left nails and other debris in her yard and that several contracted repairs remain unfinished.
"I have some things, nails that were left that my grandchildren are finding in the yard," Darby said at the meeting, recounting that windows, bathroom work and ventilation had been part of the approved scope and that her bedroom continues to leak when it rains.
Darby said the contract with Titanium Construction was signed April 24 and the contractor was given until June to begin work. She said she was later given 15 days to find a replacement contractor after performance problems and that a contractor contacted through a friend declined to participate because of the city procurement process.
Staff confirmed the roof portion of the project was completed and that the contractor offered a warranty on the roof, but that disagreements between the homeowner and the contractor led to the contract being voided. Redevelopment staff said they attempted follow-up visits; the contractor reportedly could not locate an obvious source of the leak and asked to inspect the house while it was actively raining to trace the water intrusion.
"If you can call the office and schedule a time that the inspectors and I will go out with them, and we will try to determine where your roof is leaking…," Aaron said, offering to coordinate an inspection and follow-up on Darby’s file.
Darby also complained that workers left tar spots, used a wheelbarrow rather than a dumpster and caused damage to a vehicle mirror. She said she has photographs documenting the condition and remains concerned about the safety of her grandchildren playing in the yard.
Staff told Darby the redevelopment office had reissued the project to its pool of contractors and received no bids, and that the authority could contract with an outside contractor if the provider meets insurance and state licensing requirements. Staff agreed to contact Darby and schedule an inspection when conditions allow staff to identify the leak.
The board did not take a formal vote on the homeowner’s request during the meeting; staff recorded the complaint, described the contract status as voided because the contractor declined to return for additional work, and proposed a practical follow-up: inspect during active rain and seek a contractor willing to provide an estimate for remaining repairs.
