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County and City Officials Describe Unsafe Conditions at Asteri, Promise Continued Enforcement
Summary
Tompkins County and Ithaca officials described persistent health and safety problems at the Asteri building and said they are using inspections, fines and state partners to press property managers for repairs; the Board of Health has levied a $40,000 fine and could pursue daily penalties for unresolved violations.
Tompkins County legislators heard an extended update on May 19 about the Asteri building, where city and county officials said living and common areas remain unsafe and that property management has not yet delivered the promised, durable fixes.
Mayor Rob Quintalmo and county staff described walkthroughs and inspections that found nonworking elevator lights, damaged units, kicked-in doors, pervasive trash in common areas and stairwells that “reeked of urine,” conditions the mayor and others said fall short of acceptable habitability and public‑health standards. Quintalmo told the legislature he had seen units stripped to the studs after an e‑bike explosion and said the property owner had been unresponsive to city follow‑up and inspections.
Whole Health and county environmental‑health staff said the Board of Health previously levied a $40,000 penalty for solid‑waste and biohazard violations and deferred an additional $9,000 to allow time for remediation. Staff said they have discretion to pursue up to $2,000 per violation per day for continuing failures, though they prefer corrective engagement when partners act in good faith. Health inspectors reported five inspections since May 1 and said their work focused on garbage and biohazards that presented public‑health nuisance conditions rather than routine building code enforcement.
Legislators pressed for details on enforcement and costs. Several members urged maximum legal action if management fails to cooperate; Mayor Quintalmo and staff said options are limited by state law and property ownership structure, and that direct county or city takeover likely would require eminent domain. County staff said they are coordinating with state partners, Visino/Relevate (the investor/management group referenced in briefings) and Homes and Community Renewal to press the investor group for durable solutions and for additional supportive services for residents.
Jenny and Skip from Whole Health described the immediate public‑health risks residents face — from sharps and other biohazards to mental‑health and sanitation concerns — and outlined plans to present inspection findings and recommended next steps to the Board of Health in June. Legislators asked whether additional inspection frequency or staffing could help; health staff said daily full‑building inspections would be resource‑intensive and that they would discuss staffing and options further with county administration.
The chair and several legislators emphasized the need for case management and supportive services in addition to enforcement, and asked staff to return with recommendations about use of fines and possible county support for case management. The board took no new formal action in open session beyond requesting staff follow‑up; officials warned that some evidence and legal strategy cannot be discussed in public session and may require executive session or Board of Health procedures.
Why it matters: Dozens of households remain affected and the situation has required sustained city–county coordination, repeated inspections and a mix of enforcement and social services. County staff said they will bring inspection outcomes and enforcement recommendations to the Board of Health and to future legislative briefings.
