MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s the end of an era for former Serenity Tower tenants as a status hearing was held on Tuesday to discuss the progress and next steps for the midtown housing complex.
The troubled property is now boarded up, and city leaders say minimal maintenance will occur until the building is sold.
This comes after the City of Memphis Fire Services and the Shelby County construction code enforcement on preservation strategy, securing all doors and windows of the building.
“Unfortunately, there was a lot of items that people did have to leave behind. Mostly due to the above infestations and other pest control issues. HUD and HCV were able to compensate the majority of the tenants for some of those expenses,” said Carlissa Shaw, City of Memphis Special Attorney.
Bed bugs, broken ACs, and downed elevators are a thing of the past. Security deposits will be delivered to former tenants beginning Monday.
Marcus Ward is the special master for Shelby County’s environmental court and says he hopes the city will recoup funds after decades of decay.
“I hope that they will. They’ve invested a lot. And they did not have to, but under the law, of course, if it is sold, any sales proceeds, it would seem, would go toward the city as a lien holder. And I think what the city is doing now is trying to prioritize its needs,” Ward said.
144 tenants have moved to permanent housing, while 6 relocated to temporary housing. Those who were temporarily displaced have a 60-day extension to find a permanent home.
“Now that it is completely vacant, there really is no effort or intention for anyone to maintain that facility and any state of housing. It has been bought, it has been secured, it has been locked down. And it is not intended to be opened up for anyone anytime before it is sold,” Ward said.
Serenity Towers was set to appear in court on July 1. That date has been moved to July 8 at 1:30 p.m. At that time, the city will present its motion to sell the building.
