Following a unanimous city council vote to pursue condemnation, Woodley Terrace Apartments faces an uncertain legal future.
to pursue condemnation, Woodley Terrace Apartments faces an uncertain legal future. But the path forward is complicated by three separate lawsuits already underway against the property owners and management company—each with different objectives but overlapping concerns about safety and habitability.
Attorney Sayge Grubbs is filing on behalf of tenants affected by the fire and the family of Johnny Payne, who died in the December blaze.The City of Montgomery previously sued the property owners over conditions at the complex. The city recently moved to reopen that case following the deadly fire and subsequent building inspections that revealed multiple violations.The legal complexity extends beyond Montgomery. Records show this is not the first EEG Management-operated property to face scrutiny or potential shutdown. Attorney Grubbs obtained records from the City of Champaign, Illinois, revealing that a property linked to the same management group was previously condemned after repeated code complaints. “If you look at those complaints from Illinois and compare them to the ones here… those complaints are almost identical… you can barely tell if this was Montgomery or Illinois,” Grubbs said.If the court ultimately allows Woodley Terrace to be shut down, the implications could extend far beyond this single property. Grubbs believes the city must consider the broader picture of EEG Management’s operations. “If you shut Woodley Terrace down, in my opinion, you have to look at all the properties that EEG Management own and run within the city because they’re all being treated and managed the same way,” Grubbs said.According to Grubbs, the city’s options are limited by law. Officials will have to take their case back to court and ask a judge to declare the property a public nuisance and order it condemned. Grubbs emphasized that ultimately, responsibility falls on the property management company to follow city codes and fix the problems.Looking beyond the immediate case, Grubbs noted that state lawmakers could play a role in addressing the larger issue. He suggested that Alabama state legislation could make it easier for cities across the state to shut down properties like Woodley Terrace faster. “State lawmakers could step in with legislation that would make it easier for cities across Alabama to shut down properties like this faster,” Grubbs said.For now, the future of Woodley Terrace will be decided in court. The city has yet to hear back from EEG Management regarding requests for comment on the condemnation efforts and the allegations surrounding their property management practices. The legal battle reflects broader concerns about housing quality and tenant protections in Montgomery, with multiple parties—residents, their attorneys, and the city—pushing for accountability and change.City Council unanimously agrees Woodley Terrace Apartments should be condemnedOwner and namesake of Vicki’s Lunch Van dies
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