Independence Towers one step closer to seeking potential new ownership

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - The company in charge of Independence Towers is a step closer to selling the apartment building.

A company named Trigild currently responsible for the apartments and asked a judge to allow it to sell the property to PG Independence Tower LLC, according to a court filing.

An attorney representing some of the people who live in the building filed an objection to the sale, which led to the judge’s decision to extend the hearing on Friday.

This outcome is one all parties involved said they were pleased with, including tenants. Independence Towers tenant leaders told KCTV5 they believe this will allow for more time to research potential new ownership.

“This is a tenant reckoning and if it’s got to start with Independence Towers Tenant Union and the KC Tenants Union, then that’s where it’s gonna start,” Diasha White, Independence Towers tenant, said.

Tenants living at Independence Towers have complained about mold, roach and rodent infestations, and say they have had enough.

“We should not have to share an inch of our space with cockroach infestations, mice infestations, and yet you’re still expecting your $1300 rent every month,” White said.

White is one of multiple tenants hoping for the chance to shed light on these conditions in court as they inch one step closer to finding out who will own the property next. They demand improved living conditions, forgiveness on backed rent debt, and collective bargain leases. The Independence Towers’ current ownership Trigild told KCTV5 they refused to comment.

“Are these people willing to see us as people over profit? Will they only be able to see us as numbers and not be able to see the humanity in those numbers,” White said.

Logan Todd has been living at Independence Towers for one year and said he is already looking for a way out.

“I will accept money to leave so that we don’t have to go through the eviction process,” Todd said.

Although many tenants are willing to leave, others say they plan to fight to the finish for better living conditions.

“The city is already too full of slumlords. There are way too many properties out there already dying because no one’s willing to take care of the property and they can’t keep them full because if the dwelling is empty it dies,” White said. “It needs life in it to live and our city is too full of all of that already. Rent is too damn high and if we’re gonna keep the rent high, then we need these properties up to standard.”

The tenants’ attorney said they believe it’s important they have a say in their future.

“That was our argument to the judge in this case was that this is bad enough of a case you should make an exception and let tenants have a role of some sort in the final disposition of the property,” Dan Hobart, KC Tenants attorney, said.

The next court hearing is scheduled for April 18 at 1:30 at the Jackson County Courthouse.

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