I feel like a stranger in a strange land. Many of the owner occupied condo units are now “renter” occupied. So many new faces where once there were familiar faces, but it seems to be the trend now, the result of foreclosures and those people seeking a place to call home. It’s the economy, stupid. As one who has occupied various rental units throughout the midwest (Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee), owning a space is not necessarily desirable. These days it’s downright dangerous.
A few months ago, our resident manager told me the rentals were about 10 percent, but they surely seem to be way more than that as I write. It’s notable that the condo board decided NOT to reveal just how many units are currently being rented. I do understand that owners have every right to lease their units as rental spaces as it is way better than having foreclosures on properties here. The banks, face it, don’t want foreclosed properties. As it is, they are groaning under the weight of foreclosure problems, but in my head somewhere is the thought that it was the banks and their loose-goose lending practices that got us into this economic mess in the first place. So at least from that perspective, they deserve the problems, but those problems have trickled down.
That said, I do think that all of us who own and occupy units in this swell building, deserve to know the facts regardless of what the board thinks. We were promised “transparency,” and I’ve got to wonder what’s transparent about dodging the facts.
Allegedly, renters must sign a lease and abide by all the rules set forth, rules that weren’t necessarily followed by owners who have moved on to who knows where.
Thrown into this confusing mix, is the new Conceal Carry stuff, and yes, in the board minutes, the board has decided to discuss what that means at a later date. Rotating at our front desk, and employed by the Condo Association, are various persons in charge of keeping the building’s civility intact. A Concierge, trained folks from a security company, and good old reliable Mr. Pryor who comes in once a week to sit at the desk.
Lately, he has lugged in a hefty stick, about 5 ft. high and decorated with a carved head with scary eyes. He props it up behind his desk, perhaps as a “don’t mess with me” warning. Mr. Pryor is a gentleman, and it’s hard to imagine him swinging the stick at an intruder. We’ve had a few incidents here involving persons with nefarious intentions, but so far, it’s been no big deal.
