Troubled landlord given time to fix up condemned property



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One property he owned had a porch collapse. Another apartment complex had mushrooms growing from the walls. Now, a Milwaukee landlord is connected to another troubled property.

A Milwaukee alderman says Elijah Mohammed Rashaed has more than 140 properties. The city recently demolished two of them. But officials are giving him a few months to fix up the third, a house on N. 37th St. on Milwaukee's north side.

"Every morning I look over there, yep, it's an eyesore," said Terry Winfert, neighbor.

Windows are boarded up, a roof is falling apart, and the lawn is overgrown.

"It needs to come down. It really does. It needs to come down," said Winfert.

In front of the house, the address is written in dirt. In back, there's a notice that the condemned property is scheduled for demolition. Yet, a city official says Rashaed just made an agreement to stop demolition and fix it up. Neighbors doubt that will happen.

"Ain't no fixing it up, ain't no fixing it up. Nah, it ain't worth it. It' s not worth it, the wind and snows been there," said Winfert.

This is not the first time one of Rashaed's properties has made the news. Earlier this month FOX6 captured images at a property on North 27th Street.

"I've seen a lot of poor living conditions, but this is horrendous," community activist Tory Lowe said.

Inside, hallways so moldy they are covered with mushrooms. A bucket collects water dripping from the ceiling.

"They have fungus all across the wall on the first floor. They have rats and mice in the building. I haven't had any in my apartment so far, but I've seen them in the hallways," said resident Regine Gholson.

And last September, at 24th and West National, a balcony collapsed at another one of Rashaed's properties. Two people were injured, that building had to be condemned.

Back on North 37th, neighbors are staying optimistic, hoping for the best.

"This would be a great home for a family to raise children," said a neighbor.

According to City officials, two other properties owned by Rashaed recently had to be razed. In order to save the latest proper, Rashaed has to come up with $7,500 very soon to put toward rehabbing the house. He must demonstrate a great deal of progress in fixing up the property in the coming months -- or it will come down.

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