Tenants say Wildwood Off Main management coerced silence after building condemnation

Amber, a tenant at Wildwood Off Main, told the county board the May 7 condemnation has left many neighbors “fighting with clarity and consistency.” She described a settlement document tenants were asked to sign with clauses she said imposed $5,000 penalties for negative reviews or posts and an arbitrary deadline, which she called coercive. “Some neighbors have been coerced into silence,” Amber said.

Other residents raised similar complaints later in the meeting. Alfredo Lopez, another Wildwood tenant, said management initially insisted operations continue and then produced conflicting statements on rent and hotel reimbursement. “Tenants received an agreement in which we could break our leases without fees in exchange for giving up the right to sue and delete negative comments — or face $5,000 charges,” Lopez said. He added reports that elderly tenants were charged for June rent despite announcements they would not be billed.

Board members acknowledged the concerns during public comment and noted county staff and elected officials have been engaging with residents in the district. The board did not take immediate formal action on the tenant requests during the meeting; staff and commissioners said they would continue problem-solving with residents and track next steps, including communications between tenants and county administration.