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Residents displaced after electrical failure at 830 West Market; city says building condemned and emergency teams aided residents
Summary
Residents at 830 West Market were ordered to evacuate after officials found an active electrical failure; assistant city manager said the building was condemned for safety, Red Cross and partner agencies were on-site and staff performed door‑to‑door outreach; council directed follow-up outreach to displaced residents.
A resident raised the alarm at the Greensboro City Council meeting on Dec. 16, saying tenants at 830 West Market received text notices ordering immediate evacuation after an electrical systems failure that left some parts of the building without heat or power. The resident, Naima Simon, said some of the building—s units house families who were displaced on short notice and criticized perceived gaps in communication and coordination with residents.
Assistant City Manager Andrea Harrell told the council the building "had to be condemned this morning because the electrical system is actually burning up." She said city staff, police, GSO HOME, the Greensboro Housing Coalition, Guilford County Emergency Management and the Red Cross conducted door‑to‑door notifications overnight, and that staff tried to fast‑track pallet homes and other humanitarian options for people who needed shelter. Harrell said the building—s owner representatives had not properly notified residents and that staff found the property so unsafe that the normal 24‑hour notice was not possible.
Harrell described on‑site assistance: "We went door to door at 03:00" and "there were police officers, GSO HOME, numerous resources" offering support; the Red Cross remained on-site to register residents and provide immediate aid. She said the city tried to contact owners and an owner representative appeared at 2:30 a.m. but did not assist with notifications. Harrell acknowledged limited immediate housing options and emphasized that staff were coordinating resources.
Councilmembers and the city manager recognized the rapid response but also the need for clearer communication to tenants. Councilmember Holston, who visited the site before the meeting, said some residents were unaware of conditions and that staffing and partner organizations were assisting but more follow-up was necessary. The city manager said county officials were in touch about potential assistance and pledged to provide council with updates.
Next steps: staff said they would reach out to affected residents, continue on-site resource coordination with the Red Cross and community partners, and provide council with a fuller report on impacts and needs. No formal council action was recorded beyond directing staff to assist displaced residents and coordinate resources.
