‘We’re not giving up’: Tenants of Springfield Gardens demand change through protest on Union Street

SPRINGFIELD — Unbearable living conditions at Union Street apartments prompted around eight tenants to express their frustrations through host a protest at 250 Union St. Friday morning.

Jacob Martinez, who has been a 16-year resident of the Springfield Gardens-owned apartment, listed off a variety of issues he and his family have faced over the years, including mold, mice and broken pipes.

He said the mice had chewed into his studio apartment's electric cables, which led to a previous house fire.

"I’ve been trying to fix it on my own," Martinez said. "I’ve been trying to come out of my own pocket just to fix it because I live here. I have to survive like anybody else."

Bennita Watford, a three-year tenant of the apartment, led the cheers for justice and called for more residents to get involved in the protest.

A lack of hot water, mold, stolen mail, homeless people, suffering from drugs in the hallway of her apartment were a few of the issues she listed in between her chants.

"(Last) winter, we have gone an (entire) week without heat," she said. "I’ve had checks, and credit cards stolen out of the mailbox."

The protest was organized by Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts a nonprofit organization, intending to boost efforts and causes that could bring local and statewide change.

Lead organizer Katie Talbot said she had a chance to visit some of the tenants’ apartments before the protest. She said that infestations of rodents and insects are one of the larger issues that need to be addressed at Union Apartments.

The other issue she listed is the lack of security and secure locks on the front doors of the apartment buildings, causing homeless people to occupy vacant rooms.

"High Street (Commons) got first resource buildings, they don't have the same problems, yet Springfield Gardens say it's the area, it's the crime," Talbot said.

Two dead bodies were found inside a Union Street apartment Wednesday morning by the Springfield Police Department.

Three police officers were shot while investigating the homicide, according to a previous report from MassLive.

Police Department spokesperson Ryan Walsh said there have been 27 calls for service in that building so far. "Of those 12, were officer-initiated proactive patrols," he said over text.

City Councilor Justin Hurst, a mayoral candidate sent out a press release requesting a comprehensive plan to tackle gun violence from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood.

"A reactive approach is not the answer and happens far too often in the immediate aftermath of a spate of violence," Hurst said in a statement.

Going forward, Talbot said Neighbor 2 Neighbor plans to work closely with city officials, working on getting the Federal Housing Finance Agency to conduct site visits.

"We want to federally expand tenant protections and want Springfield Gardens to get out," Talbot said.

After the protest, City Council vice president Melvin Edwards told The Republican that solutions will require collaboration from the police department, every social service agency across the city and other city officials.

"These things have been discussed for a very long time and unfortunately, their cries have been ignored," Edwards said.

City Council President Jesse Lederman, also a mayoral candidate, said he commends the tenants for organizing and making their voices heard. He said he has met directly with tenants to witness their concerns firsthand.

"It's very clear that there has to be continued enforcement action against Springfield Gardens because every single resident in our city should have access to safe and dignified living conditions," Lederman said.

Lederman referenced the creation of the Springfield Housing Trust Fund, which he said would like to be "funded at a high level." The fund will aid homeowners in repairing or improving their properties.

An attempt to reach attorney Rich Herbert, who represents Springfield Gardens, before the deadline was unsuccessful.

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