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Porter Building residents tell council of rats, security lapses and repeated maintenance failures
Summary
Multiple residents of the Porter Building told the Lansing City Council they face ongoing pest infestations, frequent elevator failures, inadequate security and delayed maintenance despite tax‑incentive status for the property; they urged action from city officials.
Several residents of the Porter Building addressed the council during public comment on July 27, describing ongoing health and safety problems they say the building’s management has not fixed.
Joanne Beam, 66, said she has faced multiple rat incidents since March and that pest‑control service was discontinued because the vendor was not paid. "I have to keep my lights on 24 hours because I'm terrified... I can't sleep at night," Beam said, asking the council to investigate management and the use of tax incentives that the building received. Geraldine Rush said the building—a 119‑year‑old structure that received a long‑term payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes pilot—has had repeated security breaches, drug activity in common areas, broken elevators and failing exterior concrete, and that management told residents it lacked funds for repairs.
Residents urged the council and staff to check whether funds associated with any pilot or renovation plan were used for intended repairs and to enforce habitability standards for senior and vulnerable tenants. Council members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting but the public comments were entered into the record.
