Adrian, MI – It looks like it will be several months before residents of Riverview Terrace could move back into their building, after being forced to evacuate over structural concerns on Monday. A press conference was held Friday morning in nearby Comstock Park to discuss what has happened, what officials know now, and what they are going to be working on.
Adrian City Administrator Greg Elliott led the press conference, and said that while a renovation project was taking place on the third floor of the building, a gap around 6 inches was discovered between the wall and floor. After further inspection that day, it was determined that residents were to evacuate. If they had nowhere to go, they were transported to the Piotter Center until hotel rooms could be secured. Riverview Terrace residents have been moved from the local hotel rooms to the Splash Universe hotel in Dundee, and they will stay there for the next two weeks…until a more permanent solution is found.
The future of the building is unclear at this time, as specific needs to make the building habitable again are not known. A representative for the ownership group said at the press conference that the State of Michigan conducts inspections on the building.
Lenawee County Emergency Management Coordinator Craig Tanis told WLEN News earlier this week that there is no quick solution to the situation at Riverview Terrace… and the ownership rep. said today that if residents can get their names on waiting lists for other living arrangements, then they should.
WLEN News Director Ian Wendt asked officials at the press conference if the two vacant hospitals in Lenawee County, ProMedica Bixby and ProMedica Herrick Hospitals were considered as a more long-term solution for displaced residents. Elliott said that they have had conversations and ProMedica said that those facilities were not suitable to take in residents, and that the healthcare provider was getting those buildings in a position to be demolished. Elliott said that the City is exploring other, intermediate, housing options.
The City of Adrian posted on their social media platform this afternoon about items that people can donate to Riverview Terrace residents:
There is an online link, through the Lenawee Community Foundation, that the community can donate money to go towards the displaced residents. Donations may be made directly to the Lenawee Community Foundation via check, phone, or online at https://lenaweecommunityfoundation.com/. Use the special designation of ‘housing crisis’ when making donations.
Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.
#wlenradio #wlennews #lenaweenews