Construction debris and materials are unattended and not blocked off to the public in the parking lot of Franklin Cove.
Submitted photo
Several residents have expressed safety concerns over Franklin Cove Apartments’ construction efforts as they attempt to revitalize their complex.
The apartment complex’s parent company Wallick Communities Asset Management is currently spending $16 million to rehabilitate 108 apartment units. Part of that project is funded with a $1.2 million tax credit and a $500,000 grant for the property’s development fund from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, or IHCDA.
The project is to fix many of the issues that residents have complained about over the years, including mold, water issues and general disrepair of the units.
With the project underway, residents are saying the New Albany, Ohio-based company is allowing the construction team to use unsafe construction practices to repair the complex, citing instances of abandoned equipment, construction debris and exposed wiring.
Calls made to the city have resulted in officials reaching out to IHCDA requesting an investigation into the company’s construction practices.
Resident’s construction concerns
The Daily Journal has heard from multiple residents regarding the unsafe conditions derived from the ongoing construction, with most requesting to be left anonymous due to a fear of retaliation from the apartment complex.
Many have cited witnessing children playing next to hazardous equipment that had been left unattended with no use of caution tape. More have claimed that the leasing department has issued ‘unfair evictions.’
Courtney Barrett has been a resident of Franklin Cove since 2022 and is currently facing a soft eviction, which means she was given a 30-day notice to leave the property.
“I am kind of glad to get the hell out of here,” Barrett said. “It has been nothing but chaos since I have been here. The other day, my daughter found a rusted nail in her shoe from the parking lot. Even her bus driver is having issues getting into the complex because of everything that is going on.”
Barrett’s father, Robert, said that the condition of the property prompted him to contact Mayor Steve Barnett.
“I have been a maintenance director for a long time,” Robert Barrett said. “I’m concerned for the kids. There are all these kids playing near saws and compressors and debris left unattended. The dumpsters are spilling over. I know people need to live somewhere, but I would like to see the housing authority shut them down.
“It’s not only the condition of the property, it is the way it is ran.”
City responds
Barnett said that he has heard from several concerned residents regarding Wallick’s remodel, stating that the claims described the process as unsafe, unsanitary and unaccommodating. He said that he had been concerned by the complex’s parking lot conditions for several years.
The City of Franklin sent an individual to look at the construction site. The findings led the city to contact the IHCDA requesting they conduct their own investigation on the property.
“We were unhappy with the condition of the site and the pace that Wallick was moving to make the site better,” he said. “It is a Section 8 government-financed housing project, however, it still should be in the same state as any other housing project. Just because it is government-financed doesn’t mean it should be run down. It should be a quality place to live. We don’t see that happening with Wallick and we are very disappointed on how they have taken care of the property.
“We have a lot of police runs out there and that falls back on Wallick not doing the job that they should be doing to maintain their property.”
Dana Monson, community development specialist for the City of Franklin, reached out to IHCDA to express the city’s concern. This marked the first time they contacted IHCDA regarding Franklin Cove.
Monson spoke to Matt Rayburn, deputy executive director, regarding the situation. Rayburn has conversed with Monson on several occasions regarding acquiring grants for companies and developers.
“Matt was very receptive and understanding to the situation,” Monson said. “He stressed that any of the residents who have concerns with Wallick or concerns about the process moving forward as they conduct these renovations, that he wants to hear directly from them to clarify and better understand exactly what the concerns are. That way IHCDA can move forward to work with Wallick to help resolve those conflicts.”
Franklin Cove residents can contact Rayburn by emailing [email protected].
Future concerns
The Daily Journal also received a statement from Ian Hauer, director of marketing and communications for IHCDA regarding the construction at Franklin Cove.
“IHCDA was made aware of the concerns through the mayor’s office and is conducting an onsite inspection on Thursday, December 21st,” Hauer said in an email. “We have received concerns from a handful of residents to date. Residents may continue to contact IHCDA with concerns at 317-232-7777. We have notified the owner and developer of the concerns and they have been responsive to date. They are cooperating with our upcoming inspection.”
Although the Daily Journal did not receive any comment from Franklin Cove or Wallick at the time of publication, a letter sent to residents from December 12 was acquired.
“This letter is to remind you that the entire property is under construction for our rehab project,” the letter says. “During this time there may be repairs that are an inconvenience to you. Please know these changes are to improve the way of life for everyone at Franklin Cove. Our construction team is working diligently to complete these remodels as quickly as possible, but it takes time and is a process. As with all construction, there will be materials located at specific jobsite. Although our team tries to keep the areas as neat and clean as possible, there may be times when areas look chaotic.
“For your safety and the safety of others, please avoid these areas. These areas are for our construction team only. Also, keep in mind when waste containers are being picked up, small items such as nails may fall out. This is unavoidable and as much as we regret this, Wallick is not responsible for any damage this may cause.”
Barnett said that the best solution moving forward would be for the IHCDA to ‘step up to the plate’ and make the owner of this complex maintain Franklin Cove just like it is a market-rate complex. He suggested putting additional authority behind the distributed funds that make these reconstruction projects possible to ensure the construction zone is safe.
UPDATE 3:45 P.M. WEDNESDAY
Franklin Cove’s parent company Wallick Communities Asset Management issued a statement regarding the construction concerns at the apartment complex. The statement was received after press time for the Wednesday paper, where the story “‘Unsafe’ construction site reported to IHCDA” appeared.
The statement says: “Franklin Cove’s owners are actively working to address the concerns raised in the complaint, while the multi-million-dollar rehabilitation of the community continues,” said Tim Bates, project manager at MurphyEpson, a public relations firm that works with Wallick. “Residents can send an email about construction-related questions or concerns to: [email protected]. Please be sure to include the property name in the subject line; and in the body of the email, include: The concern or question; your name; unit number; and best phone number and time of day to reach you.
“Franklin Cove’s owners welcome the opportunity working with our partners, investors and regulators to provide a safe, stable and affordable home for our residents.”
The response comes after several community members shared their worries over unsafe conditions and construction practices during the complex’s $16 million remodel process.
After looking into safety at the site, city of Franklin officials contacted the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, or IHCDA, prompting them to plan a site visit.
