A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against KDR and Axiom Property Management, the owner and operator of Aspen Place Apartments in Gardner, after about 700 residents were forced to leave their homes within 48 hours earlier this month.The mass displacement came after the city of Gardner condemned the property due to ongoing issues, including persistent water service problems and an incident in which a firetruck became stuck on a damaged access road.“A nightmare, just, a lot of unanswered questions and it’s a nightmare,” said Candice Walker, a former tenant.Walker, who is legally blind and in need of a heart transplant, said she lives on a small disability check. She and her roommate, John Bratton, said they’ve submitted eight housing applications since being forced out of Aspen Place but have not yet found a new place to live.“Obviously, it’s our hope to really do something sooner rather than later. And I would certainly invite the attorneys of the ownership and management of Aspen Place to reach out to me directly,” said attorney Bryce Bell, who filed the class action lawsuit.“All the families in here are owed. And I want to see justice,” Walker said.On the same day the class action suit was filed, a bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit against KDR in Johnson County District Court over a $14.6 million loan. That day, Aspen Place representatives also submitted a plan to the city to fix the complex’s water line.“I think it’s a joke,” Walker said of the plan.A city spokeswoman said even if the water line plan is approved and implemented, other issues must still be addressed before Aspen Place can reopen.For Walker and hundreds of others, it’s too late.“KDR shouldn’t be in business anymore. They’re slumlords. They’ve destroyed a lot of families, a lot of people like myself,” Walker said.Former tenants interested in joining the lawsuit can visit aspenplacelawsuit.com.Attempts to reach representatives for KDR and Axiom Property Management were unsuccessful.Evicted Gardner apartment residents receive legal help, shelter support:Gardner residents scramble for housing after city condemns Aspen Place Apartments:
A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against KDR and Axiom Property Management, the owner and operator of Aspen Place Apartments in Gardner, after about 700 residents were forced to leave their homes within 48 hours earlier this month.
The mass displacement came after the city of Gardner condemned the property due to ongoing issues, including persistent water service problems and an incident in which a firetruck became stuck on a damaged access road.
“A nightmare, just, a lot of unanswered questions and it’s a nightmare,” said Candice Walker, a former tenant.
Walker, who is legally blind and in need of a heart transplant, said she lives on a small disability check. She and her roommate, John Bratton, said they’ve submitted eight housing applications since being forced out of Aspen Place but have not yet found a new place to live.
“Obviously, it’s our hope to really do something sooner rather than later. And I would certainly invite the attorneys of the ownership and management of Aspen Place to reach out to me directly,” said attorney Bryce Bell, who filed the class action lawsuit.
“All the families in here are owed. And I want to see justice,” Walker said.
On the same day the class action suit was filed, a bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit against KDR in Johnson County District Court over a $14.6 million loan. That day, Aspen Place representatives also submitted a plan to the city to fix the complex’s water line.
“I think it’s a joke,” Walker said of the plan.
A city spokeswoman said even if the water line plan is approved and implemented, other issues must still be addressed before Aspen Place can reopen.
For Walker and hundreds of others, it’s too late.
“KDR shouldn’t be in business anymore. They’re slumlords. They’ve destroyed a lot of families, a lot of people like myself,” Walker said.
Former tenants interested in joining the lawsuit can visit aspenplacelawsuit.com.
Attempts to reach representatives for KDR and Axiom Property Management were unsuccessful.
Evicted Gardner apartment residents receive legal help, shelter support:
Gardner residents scramble for housing after city condemns Aspen Place Apartments:
