Serenity Towers in Memphis under investigation for poor conditions

An investigation into the state of Serenity Towers, a senior living facility which has fallen into disrepair, was announced Thursday morning. The location has years of documented maintenance issues.

As an assessment team has entered and inspected the building, longtime State Rep. G. A. Hardaway and Shelby County Assessor of Property Melvin Burgess said during a press conference outside the apartment complex. They described the conditions which residents have had to endure, including faulty air conditioning, extreme temperatures, lack of hot water, mold and broken elevators, among other problems.

"We cannot allow our seniors here in Memphis and Shelby County to suffer and die," Burgess said. "We need immediate assessment and immediate improvement."

While property owners Millennia Companies have proposed long-term solutions to the issues which will take at least a year to enact, Hardaway said fixes need to be made as soon as possible. Hardaway recently met with some residents and viewed the inside of the building with inspectors, which prompted him to begin this investigation.

"This is the most disgusting instance of constituency problems that I have had," Hardaway said. "I was elected back in 2007 − I have never seen anything like this. We will not allow our people to be subjected to the torture and the life-or-death environment they have been subjected to."

Some disabled residents have been trapped in their apartments with no air conditioning when elevators went down. Other residents told Hardaway that they are forced to carry umbrellas into their own bathrooms, due to faulty pipes. Hardaway also described the "brutal" ascent up eight flights of stairs in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

"And to ask my 60, 70, 80-year-old residents to work those stairs," he said, "it is unconscionable."

Burgess' office will inspect public records, the assessor’s property records, code enforcement permits and the property's title history to determine the best course of action. Meanwhile, as renovations to the building are undertaken, Hardaway said he will ensure the building's administration will prepare policies and procedures in the event of emergencies, such as air conditioning, hot water or elevator failures.

Hardaway explained they will be working with "any number" of city, county, state and federal agencies to determine "either why they have not fully exercised their oversight authority, or whether they ran into legislative or administrative roadblocks, and we'll be working to clear those," he said.

After the inspection is finished, Burgess said that protecting high-risk seniors with major health issues will be the priority.

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"We are aware of some... who might be bedridden, or they may have an oxygen machine," he said. "So that's something we're looking at because we know they can't stay here. But first things first, let's see what shape the building is in, and let's see where we go from there."

Hardaway said civil and potentially criminal action against the owners is being looked at. Additionally, Hardaway said he will work to make sure that residents are reimbursed for enduring the conditions of their apartments, and any extra expenses caused by those conditions.

Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected]