On Monday, city housing and building crews began conducting room by room compliance inspections of 177 units at the Heritage House on Meadowview Road.

“They are looking for things like holes in walls, ceilings and floors if the smoke detectors are working, if the plumbing is working or other electrical issues and if everything is clean and sanitary in the unit,” says Jim Westmoreland, Deputy City Manager with the City of Greensboro.

Greensboro police accompanied city officials during their visit. Westmoreland says the inspection was prompted by a group of concerned residents who presented a petition to city council last month requesting an inspection of the facility.

Police say Heritage House has been the site of dozens of crimes and, most recently, a fatal shooting in mid-October.

According to a report by the Greensboro police and fire departments, the Heritage House averages around 2 to 3 calls per day to the city’s 911 emergency services.

“Things that they have include narcotics violations, domestic disputes, noise disturbances, parties and suspicious activities. Already this year, the police department has responded to 826 calls to this particular complex and the fire department has responded to 272 calls at this complex,” says Westmoreland.

Westmoreland says most of the condominium units at the Heritage House are independently owned.  Last month, about a dozen members of the Homeowner’s association met with city officials to discuss their concerns. Westmoreland says they are working with city officials to improve safety in the complex and help manage future issues. 

“They each are doing things a little bit differently in terms of the type of lease that they use, things that they check for in terms of the tenants that are occupying the building, have limited power in their by-laws and covenants in order to basically operate and manage that facility,” says Westmoreland.

“Besides the inspection, we are working with members of the home owner’s association to give them the tools they need to help better manage and operate with that facility,” Westmoreland added.

City officials say the inspections will run through Tuesday.