New property management takes over 1616 Ouellette, water now restored

Taps flowing again at 1616 Ouellette Ave. A new property management company is overseeing repairs after residents were left without water for over 2 weeks. Sijia Liu reports.

Residents of 1616 Ouellette Avenue once again have running water after going more than two weeks without, according to the building’s property manager.

Tenants had been without water since Christmas Eve, until it was restored on Tuesday.

“We can’t flush our toilets, we can't shower, we can’t wash our dishes, it has been stressful. Thank God, the water is on,” said a tenant of the building who identified himself as Rob.

On Jan. 2, tenants of the building were notified a new property management company called Ontario Property Management has taken over the apartment building. Marda Management was contracted to oversee 1616 Ouellette until the end of 2022.

According to Will Lucier of Ontario Property Management, there was no water pressure because the water meter was stolen.

Now that heat and water issues have been addressed, the property management company wants to renovate every unit with laminate floors, a new kitchen and bathroom within the next six months.

“Some of the tenants indicated that they've had bedbugs for over a year now. I do have pest control people coming out today to rectify the bed begs,” said Lucier.

In the meantime, residents are trying to stay optimist and hope their historic building can live up to its potential.

“We have always held out hope in this place that someday things will improve. We’re worrying that we are going to be evacuated again and forced out of our home,” said Rob.

“There's a new management team in place. I’m being told that everyone is pretty satisfied with the way things are going and that the problems are being solved,” said Renaldo Agostino, Windsor ward 3 councillor.

On Nov. 22, the City of Windsor evacuated the entirety of 1616 Ouellette due to safety concerns. Tenants were permitted to return on Dec. 16, following repair work to the heating, electrical and fire alarm systems.

Rob is worried he will not find another affordable place to live if he is evacuated from his home or forced to move again.

“There is a very real lack of affordable housing. Looking on Kijiji and checking out ads, it is almost impossible to find even a bachelor apartment for under $900. Then you are also competing with a lot of people to try and get that unit,” said Rob.