Former Carson Pines tenant: 'I am literally in survival mode'

A tenant forced to move from an unsafe apartment complex in Carson City says she’s in survival mode.

“I am literally in survival mode at this point,” said Shawna Alvarado, former tenant of Carson Pines Apartments off David Street. “Just trying to be the best mom I can be for my kids and not breakdown. The stress is overwhelming, and I feel defeated. Trying to find a rental on a single mom’s income with two kids and a well-behaved pit bull? Impossible.”

Alvarado lived in one of 29 units on the second story of the complex that Carson City building officials and code enforcement officers deemed unsafe on Monday. Notices posted near an outdoor stairwell and on doors stated entry into the dwellings was restricted to authorized personnel. The enforcement came after nearly two years of court proceedings in which the city pressed the owner of the building to make needed repairs. Although Carson City Health and Human Services has reached out to assist those in sudden transition, tenants are still struggling.

“We haven’t found a place to live. We are currently staying with a friend in their small one-bedroom apartment. I am actively looking for a place. This has affected us immensely,” said Alvarado. “My 13-year-old, who has high-functioning autism and doesn’t do well with change, is struggling immensely. He had a full breakdown when all our stuff was finally moved out. His behavior has been on edge, and it has been a super trying time for all of us. They have to take a different bus to and from school; their world of routine, structure and stability was abruptly ripped out from under them.”

According to the Carson City Assessor’s website, the property includes 1.45 acres and four apartment buildings. The buildings were constructed in 1963. The owner is Noah’s Family Revocable Living Trust. Two trustees are listed: Melody K. McEachin and William E. Kranz.

Kranz is the defendant in an ongoing case being adjudicated in Carson City Justice and Municipal Court regarding the property. The charge brought by the District Attorney’s Office is “chronic nuisance.” A not guilty plea was entered on June 22, 2021.

According to court documents, problems with the complex were reported in May 2021 when Carson City Animal Control Services alerted the code enforcement and building divisions that an apartment there was being used as a “cat sanctuary.” When code enforcement officers responded, they noticed the second-floor walkways were not structurally sound. A following building inspection confirmed “the large timbers and plywood supporting the structure have rotted and need to be replaced.” Several other nuisance violations and safety concerns were noted.

On Tuesday, Kranz told the Appeal he is the owner and manager of Carson Pines. Letterhead for Eagle Real Estate Management Inc., a Carson-based company, appears in court documents, but Kranz said the company only helped him with accounting.

Kranz said the next court hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 31. He declined to comment in greater detail, at this time, but did say he complied with a Sept. 16, 2022, court order stipulating he hire an engineer to address issues with the building. He said he hired Robison Engineering of Sparks.

According to an Oct. 1, 2022, report by Robison Engineering, a structural inspection of the property was conducted in September. Engineers found problems with the wood framing, as connected to the second-story railing, as well as with the railing itself and plywood decking of the walkway, which showed signs of dry rot. Inconsistent roof slope and corroded stair structures were also noted. The engineering firm recommended all rotted wood be removed and replaced, truss framing be evaluated, and stair components be repaired or replaced, among other measures.

“Many of these issues could have been avoided with regular maintenance and proper construction techniques,” says the Robison report.

According to the assessor’s site, the family trust acquired the property in 2013.

A Dec. 7, 2022, hearing set a 30-day requirement for the owner to repair the walkways, guardrails and stairs. A field investigation by the city’s Building Safety Division on Jan. 3 found the repairs hadn’t commenced. The notices barring entry were officially posted on Jan. 9.

Both Alvarado and another tenant—who talked to the Appeal on the condition of anonymity—said they were not notified of the eviction in writing.

“I wasn’t technically notified,” said Alvarado. “I was told by another tenant on Monday the 27^th (Dec. 27).”

The second tenant who talked to the Appeal — asking not to be publicly identified — said they were told on Dec. 29 they had six days to move out. The tenant expressed frustration with both the city, for not having a set process for relocation, and with the owner of the property.

Alvarado said she received her security deposit, one month rent, and moving expenses of $500, “but only after signing a piece of paper saying I was terminating my lease and returning all keys.”

“Also that I wouldn’t hold Carson Pines or its affiliates responsible for anything that happened,” she said.

Mary Jane Ostrander, division manager of Carson City Human Services, said she and staff went door-to-door at the complex Dec. 28 assisting tenants.

“We provided a list of properties to apply to and provided our application and contact information,” she said. “We encouraged them to apply even if the property has a waiting list. We made contact with 17 out of the 23 apartments.”

Ostrander later noted the initial count was for 23 apartments. She said she hadn’t received information on the other six, listed on the notice.

“We checked in with property managers that we work with for possible vacancies,” she said. “We are aware of eight relocations, commonly moving in with family members. We received six applications from residents which we have pre-screened for possible security deposit assistance once a new location is found. We were able to successfully relocate one resident, and two are pending and waiting for apartments to be ready.”   

Community Development Director Hope Sullivan said based on the property owner’s own engineer, building officials concluded the second floor was unsafe for tenants and emergency responders. She said prior to the city issuing the Jan. 9 order, CHHS was on site reaching out.

“Causing residents to be displaced from their homes is not an easy decision, but given the condition of the building, it was necessary to ensure their safety,” Sullivan said.

City officials are expected to conduct another inspection on Thursday to make sure no one is in the unsafe dwellings.

A support group for evicted tenants has been set up on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/565566951663921/?mibextid=HsNCOg.

Carson City Human Services can be reached at 775-887-2110 or https://gethealthycarsoncity.org/human-services/.