MERRILLVILLE, IN – The Merrillville Fire Department has closed two buildings within the Hickory Ridge Lake Apartments due to compromised structural integrity and hazardous living conditions.
On Wednesday, authorities responded to building concerns at the complex on Hayes Street.
“The brick front wall of one building had buckled outward, so the building has become structurally compromised,” Police Chief Kosta Nuses said. “And they went to the next building just north of it, and that one was full of mold, too, so everyone in that building had to be evacuated.”
Merrillville Police and Fire officials safely evacuated residents from the perilous premises. This unfortunate situation has displaced 12 families, affecting a total of 48 units. The Ross Township Trustee’s Office and the American Red Cross are providing support to the displaced residents.
Merrillville Code Enforcement had addressed town ordinance violations earlier, but legal limitations prevented more than warnings and citations to the management of Hickory Ridge. An investigation will determine if any laws were violated by the current owner or management division of the apartment complex.
Roofing repairs had been left unresolved, allowing water to seep into the buildings and promote mold growth. Residents had lodged complaints about water leaks, and negligence from the complex’s management extended to overgrown grass and neglected garbage collection.
To address the immediate issues, the town has arranged for prompt trash collection from all dumpsters on the premises.
“It’s a big mess, a big problem.” Town Council President Rick Bella said.
The property is being sold to a new owner, who has offered to address the problems before finalizing the purchase. The hope is that the new ownership will collaborate with the town to restore the Hickory Ridge complex.
This incident in Merrillville serves as a stark reminder of the recent tragedy in Iowa, where a similar-sized structure collapsed, resulting in three deaths and severe injuries. The collapsed building in Iowa was 116 years old, emphasizing the importance of proactive maintenance and structural assessments to safeguard residents’ well-being.
