SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Mayor Melvin Carter threatened legal action Monday evening against downtown's largest property owner, calling conditions at The Lowry Apartments on Wabasha Street "one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen in my entire life."
Carter arranged a news conference just minutes after touring the building with residents. He provided the media with copies of a letter he sent to The Lowry's owner, Madison Equities, in which expressed his "outrage related to the unacceptable condition of your property."
As KARE 11 reported earlier this month, The Lowry went into foreclosure recently.
Carter said that Madison Equities must give him a detailed plan by the end of Tuesday, about how the company plans to relocate tenants and bring the building up to code. He also said the city plans to file legal action asking for an emergency receivership of the building, so that an outside party can make the necessary fixes.
"We saw trash, we saw flies, insect infestation, rodent infestation, feces just on the floor. They've turned their backs on 100-plus residents," Carter said, "who live here — for money."
Carter said The Lowry's elevator does not even work. At the news conference, a woman who just had a C-section last month said she's been forced to carry her newborn up four flights of stairs every day.
"My kids have to pick up needles, pipes and everything off the ground," she said, holding back tears. "And I'm just stressed out."
Carter said he has not received an adequate answer from Madison Equities.
KARE 11's calls and emails to representatives at the company also went unanswered Monday night.
