City cites apartments for hundreds of violations

The city of Indianapolis on Thursday said it has filed public nuisance charges against five local apartment complexes and one owner of multiple rental properties.

The city said the properties and owner have “unreasonably consumed city, public, and law enforcement resources including over 3,900 police runs, more than 450 Indianapolis Fire Department medical runs, 80 Indianapolis Animal Care and Control cases, and nearly 900 Department of Code Enforcement and Marion County Public Health Department violations."

Incidents at the properties dating back to 2005 include “rape, assault, narcotics, arson, armed robbery and homicide,” the city said.

The city cited these properties:

— Aspen Village Apartments, 3510 Kebil Drive, in Speedway;

— Carmel Creek Apartments, 3636 Mission Drive, near 34th Street and High School Road;

— Harmony Park Place Apartments, 5025 E. 39th St., near Emerson Avenue and 38th Street;

—  Lake Marina Apartments, 9501 Shoreland Court, near East 21st and Post Road;

— Warren Harbor Apartments, 2120 Yorkshire Court, near 21st Street and Post Road.

The property owner cited was David Garden, who operates Garden Realty, Five Star Realty and Star Homes. The city said he owns 15 single-family rental properties.

Garden’s real estate license was stripped by the state earlier this year and he was fined $26,000 for 26 rules violations.

The city is seeking an unspecified amount of financial restitution for damages and said it will work with the owners to help them reach compliance.

 “These properties and their owners continue to contribute to crime and illegal activity by not maintaining safe and livable conditions,” City Prosecutor Samantha DeWester said in a prepared statement. “It is unacceptable, and through the combined efforts with DCE Nuisance Abatement, we will hold these property owners responsible for creating a public nuisance.”