Tivoli Park Apartments deemed unsafe and unfit

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Tenants said they’re upset by the latest out of the Tivoli Park Apartments, where the electrical fire victims were displaced. This week, Albany code enforcement found electrical issues persist and deemed the property unfit and unsafe.

A tenant filed a new complaint with City of Albany Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance earlier this week. The resident, who wants to remain anonymous, said management posted electrical inspection notices across the complex that notified residents that inspections would be underway September 8 -17.

After their inspection, the resident said they were concerned with what they witnessed and filed that new complaint with code enforcement. The on-call compliance officer visited the property. Residents said they were alarmed by what they discovered.

According to the code enforcement case, workers had converted panel boxes – from fuses to breakers – across the entire property, all done without the proper permits. They deemed the property unfit and unsafe and issued a stop work order for all electrical work.

After the electrical fire, on August 16, Tivoli Park tenant Christopher Francis spoke with us and shared images from inside his apartment. He’s concerned another tragedy will occur.

I asked him, “What is your biggest fear here?” Francis responded, “My biggest fear is a fire and potentially losing all my belongings. Things that can’t be replaced. And/or, very grim to say, being electrocuted.”

He said the recent developments are scary and wants to feel safe in his home. He hopes for accountability. 

“I would love to see Opus take more responsibility on the property, pull the proper permits, get the proper people. Spend the money to get the proper people to come in here,” said Francis. 

The property is ordered to have a third party inspection and they must submit a third party electrical certificate before the unsafe and unfit status can be lifted. 

“I would also like to see the city, in a sense, micromanage Opus and get them on the right track,” said Francis.

I’ve reached out to the Tivoli Park management company, the New Jersey based Opus Management, multiple times and have not yet received a response.