Apartment manager gets new extension after inspectors' visit

City inspectors said Monday that they are giving the owner of aSherman Hill apartment building more time to make improvements.

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For the past month, residents of the Navarre apartments on 15th Street in Des Moines have been waiting to find out if they are going to be evicted.

Inspectors said they have now granted a one week extension because progress to address issued inside the building is making progress.

Phil Delafield, director of community development, said the owner and property manager have made enough reasonable progress that the city will grant the extension. They are hoping all repairs will be done by next Monday.

Last month, a lack of general maintenance including a leaking roof, plumbing, electrical problems, asbestos, broken windows and screens contributed to the city issuing a court-approved order for the removal of all tenants from the 12-unit building.

Half of the residents have moved out. The remaining five say they're hoping they won't have to move.

Inspectors went through for an hour Monday afternoon, and saw improvements including the plumbing is all fixed, new smoke alarms and window screens, the leaky roof has been repaired. More drywall and plaster repair is to be done and some electrical work, according to the building manager.

The manager said he was hoping for a three-week extension.

"It's cosmetic. We've only got five tenants left. I don't see much sense in making five tenants move out because of some cosmetic issues that we are actively pursuing to get finished," said Matt Funk, property manager at Navarre.

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Apartment manager gets new extension after inspectors' visit