DETROIT – Tenants at the Russell Industrial Center were forced to leave the complex after the city of Detroit shut down Building One over safety concerns.
But why did it take so long for city officials to react to safety violations and fire hazards at the complex?
Local 4 Defender Karen Drew earlier this month obtained months of reports for the Russell Industrial Center by city inspections. But city officials didn't react until the report aired on Local 4.
READ: Does Russell Industrial Center in Detroit pose major fire risk?
The concerns cited by city officials include "erected walls using combustible materials," "the smell of natural gas" and "illegally installed heating systems."
City officials knew about the problems for months before the Russell Industrial Center was closed.
Safety violations were easy to spot when the Defenders took an undercover camera into the Russell Industrial Center. On the second floor, two overflowing dumpsters were placed in front of a loading elevator. A tenant said that if he was evicted, he wouldn't be able to get his belongings out because the elevator didn't work.
"It's what it is," Matt Bommarito, of Color Graphics Studios, said. "The rent is reasonable. It's just a good place for a lot of people who can't afford to go anywhere else."
Bommarito said he hasn't gotten the notice yet, but he expects he'll have to move out.
Furniture maker Alan Kaniarz rents 6,000 square feet at the complex. He got the notice to move out and is angry with the city and management.
"There are some partition walls that are obviously of code concern that they have, which we're more than happy to immediately start working on and get remedied if the city will allow us to," project manager Eric Novack said.
Novack had a similar story more than a month ago after obtaining documents citing dozens of violations found at the Russell Industrial Center. Violations included accumulated combustible waste material and extension cords being used.
MORE: Russell Industrial Center closes after receiving dozens of fire safety violations
The Defenders also exposed the multiple fire runs to the facility, which city officials knew about, but still allowed the complex to operate.
"It's going to be a mess," Bommarito said. "I don't know where to go. I've got, I don't know, 4,000 square feet there, and to move out, to take it out."
City officials expect to to sit down with the owner later this week to discuss the Russell Industrial Center coming into compliance, but a lot needs to be done because there are so many noncompliance issues and permits that need to be obtained.
Sign up for ClickOnDetroit breaking news alerts and email newsletters