A court battle has begun after the city of Kent filed motions in King County Superior Court to declare the crime-ridden Phoenix Court Apartments a public nuisance.<\/p>\n
Three motions were heard Sept. 8 in King County Superior Court, according to a Sept. 11 email from Kent City Attorney Tammy White. Those were the city’s motion for a preliminary injunction, the city’s motion for an order of contempt and the defendants’ motion to quash and\/or revise the commissioner’s order.<\/p>\n
After hearing argument from attorneys, White said the court denied the city’s motion for an order of contempt and elected not to rule on the defendants’ motion to quash, finding a ruling wasn’t needed since the temporary restraining order lapsed on Sept. 8, the date of the motion.<\/p>\n
“The court reserved her order on the city’s motion for a preliminary injunction, and later asked the parties to prepare additional briefing on the authority of the court to enter a mandatory preliminary injunction,” White said. “That briefing is due this Wednesday (Sept. 13), and some time after that briefing is submitted, the court will render its decision.”<\/p>\n
The city filed the public nuisance suit Aug. 15 after over a year of insisting that ownership improve the safety of the apartment complex, according to an Aug. 16 city media release.<\/p>\n
The Phoenix Court Apartments, 23913 111th Pl. SE, have been a hotbed of criminal activity, from shootings to stolen vehicles to drug dealing.<\/p>\n
The crime stats so far in 2023 (through Aug. 7) include three homicides, 22 shots fired calls, 11 verified shootings, 23 stolen vehicle recoveries, 576 computer-aided dispatch calls and 124 case reports, according to Kent Police stats listed in the complaint.<\/p>\n
The suit is filed against Kenton Ridge; Michael Kwan, the governing member of Kenton Ridge and his wife, Margaret Kwan; and Allied Residential, a Renton-based company that manages the apartments.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit seeks a number of remedies from the King County Superior Court, including requirements that ownership:<\/p>\n
Evict tenants that engage in criminal conduct or host guests who engage in criminal conduct.<\/p>\n
Allow existing tenants to vacate their apartment without penalty and in some cases receive relocation assistance from the owner of Phoenix Court.<\/p>\n
Complete the security fencing and gate surrounding the property, ensure the entrance code is changed regularly and ensure the fence is kept in good repair.<\/p>\n
Improve the safety of the complex by: installing security cameras at each building; improving facility lighting; maintaining a 24\/7 security presence; enforcing parking restrictions; maintaining regular office hours in a visible location; immediately repairing damaged windows, doors, and otherwise maintaining the property to code; securing any empty units; and holding tenant safety meetings.<\/p>\n
Kent Mayor Dana Ralph said the goal of the suit is to get the attention of the property owner, to have swift action taken, and that Phoenix Court will be a safe place for its residents and the greater community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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