LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Power is back on and elevators are once again working at Louisville’s public housing apartment complex, Dosker Manor.
The property, owned by the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, lost power Thursday in Building C at 4 p.m.
LMHA believe a leak caused issues with some electrical systems. New director, Elizabeth Strojan, has had enough. In a news conference Friday she said, "Things like this happen, they can happen anywhere. Things like this happen too often at Dosker Manor. We’re dealing with systems that are very old. So we’re dealing with pipes that are old, we’re dealing with electrical systems that are very old, we’re dealing with elevators that are very old.”
In the past, residents have told Spectrum News 1, they have had to deal with a myriad of issues including mold, insects and rodents. LMHA said the building was built in the 1960s, which means the complex is built to older codes, doesn’t have modern amenities or a way to add modern amenities.
Strojan added, “We continuously have to make these emergency repairs. This property is extremely difficult to manage. It feels like it’s always something at Dosker Manor. That’s not good for the residents, it’s not good for the staff, it’s not good for the city of Louisville.”
LMHA is currently moving some of its residents. There are approximately 800 units in the complex. The residents are being moved out in phases. LMHA estimates it will take 18 months to get all of the residents out.
Storjan said, “The amount of response for emergency services at Dosker Manor is extremely high. So, today, I will be submitting to HUD, our formal application requesting permission to demolish this property and to redevelop it as housing."
She said her application would be submitted as soon as possible. The plan has always been to demolish Dosker Manor and rebuild housing at the same location.
LMHA is partnering with the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Volunteers of America, and Dare to Care to support the residents in relocating.
