The City of Ithaca says repairs are moving forward at the vacated Asteri Apartments after damage to the building’s stairwell prompted an evacuation.
City officials announced Tuesday that a building permit application submitted by the building’s owner, Vecino Group, has been approved to complete the necessary repairs.
The evacuation order was issued last Wednesday after firefighters responding to a call at the complex discovered broken and missing glass in stairwell windows. According to the city, the damage compromised the building’s emergency exits and smoke evacuation systems.
Emergency repairs to the stairwell are expected to be completed by March 20. Once the work is finished, Vecino Group plans to conduct a pressurization test to ensure the stairwell system is functioning properly.
City officials say they have also offered to help obtain a third-party testing company that could potentially allow residents to return to their apartments more quickly. It is not yet known if that option will be used.
In the meantime, the apartment complex will continue securing temporary housing for displaced residents. As of Monday evening, it remained unclear how many residents were still living in the building prior to the evacuation.
Vecino Group has asked the city for clarification on housing arrangements. The company’s position is that it will provide housing for displaced residents until the earlier of March 20 or the date the building is permitted to reopen.
