‘Ignored it’: Woman, family injured after ceiling collapse

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — A St. Louis family was injured and covered in a crumbling ceiling after it collapsed while they were playing cards in the kitchen.

Shaun Perkins lives at Riverstation Apartments, formerly known as Park Val Apartments, on Weil Avenue on the edge of St. Louis City limits off River Des Peres Boulevard.

“Pay me for what I’m going through ‚” Perkins said. “My pain and suffering. They haven’t did nothing but came to put up a trash bag that keep falling that’s probably still moist, that’s why the tape won’t stay up. They still ignored it, ignored it, ignored it.”

Video recorded seconds after the collapse shows Perkins and her other family covered in the collapsed ceiling and debris all over the kitchen.

Perkins said days before the collapse, she alerted property managers of the water leaking from the ceiling, and because of their negligence to respond, she’s left wearing a neck brace, and she said her four other family had minor injuries.

“No one still came out here to fix it,” said Perkins.

First Alert 4 went to the leasing office to confront the property manger of the complex who itted the resident had a leak in her ceiling.

Thursday morning, First Alert 4 reached out to St. Louis City’s Building Division, by evening a building inspector was sent out.

On Firday, Building Commissioner Ed Ware sent the following statement:

“On Thursday afternoon, September 19th, a building inspector with the St. Louis City Building Division conducted an inspection of the property located at 7000 Nottingham Place. The source of the ceiling damage in Unit 102 was identified, and a 30-day violation letter was sent to the property owners.

“As part of the Housing Conservation District (HCD) ordinance [Chapter 25: Ordinance 71835], the St. Louis City Building Division conducts HCD inspections at the Park Val Apartments when a new tenant moves into a unit. Although the Building Division has occasionally received a minimal amount of code related complaints, most violations are cited during the scheduled HCD inspections. Park Val Apartments property owners are formally notified of those violations and are required to begin corrective action within 30 days. Failure to address these issues within the specified timeframe results in further enforcement actions taken by the City of St. Louis.

“During the inspection that occurred on September 19th, it was observed that the property owners are currently conducting interior and exterior repairs on several buildings that require permits. Violation notices were filed in relation to those buildings.

“The City of St. Louis’ Building Division is making a concerted effort to improve the condition of its neighborhoods. Keeping properties in good condition is to the benefit of all residents and property owners. As part of this effort, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide any necessary guidance to the property owner to bring the property into compliance with all relevant codes and regulations.

“As always, city residents who encounter issues relative to their property or landlords are always encouraged to the Citizens Services Bureau (CSB) to assist in routing their issues or concerns to the appropriate city division. To CSB, dial: 314-622-4800.”

Perkins isn’t the only tenant with issues.

Sammie Thomas said he’s reported dealing with cracked walls and disgusting cabinets, yet they’ve gone unfixed.

“It’s been hell,” Thomas said. “They don’t fix nothing, they don’t do nothing!”

First Alert 4 uncovered Com Property Management owns two other properties in the St. Louis area.

As Perkins continues healing from her neck injury, she and others, hope the city steps in and cleans up the complex.

We checked with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) —which gave Com Property Management an “F” rating and is listed as not being accredited.

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