Heat back on for people living in Southfield apartments

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.[UPDATE: The following is taken from a statement from management at the Atrium Apartments - "The Atrium Apartments recently experienced unexpected furnace issues in the north building of the 96-unit complex. The furnace was intermittently inoperable causing temporary heating outages for 48 of our 96 residents. As soon as the issue occurred, management acted immediately to obtain parts for repairs.

Prior to becoming the Atrium Apartments in 2014, this complex was in disrepair and distressed. The Atrium Apartments management team has spent considerable funds renovating both the interior and exterior of the building over the past 1.5 years, creating a much improved living space for our residents. We consider ourselves responsible property managers committed to the safety and well being of all our residents."]

Tenants at the Atrium Apartments on 9 Mile Road in Southfield say they haven't had heat for over a week, and aren’t getting answers from management.

There are about 50 units in the building, which was recently renovated with new appliances and new carpet.

Some tenants are using space heaters and ovens to keep warm. Some are resorting to other methods.

“(I'm) cuddling up with my girl,” tenant Michael Conner said.

A maintenance worker in the leasing office said they’re working on fixing the situation.

“They’re in the basement working on it now,” the worker said.

The elevator in the building also doesn’t work.

“No, it doesn’t work,” Conner said. “I’m paying $900 a month for this.”

The city of Southfield’s Building Department contacted the managers who said the heat has been fixed. They said they had been waiting on parts to get the heat working again.


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Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.