Cooper Gardens Apartment Ceiling Collapses, Tenant Seeks Urgent Repairs

News 12 looks into conditions at 4511 Third Ave. after C+C Apartment Management attempted to resolve one resident’s ceiling issues.

Raqibah Basir moved into Cooper Gardens in 2019 after years of experiencing homelessness. She says things started off well, but last December, a leak from her bathroom ceiling began cracking and caving in. C+C is the property management subsidiary of L+M Development Partners . Cooper Gardens is a mixed-use affordable and supportive housing complex with social services provided to 95 families and/or individuals through BronxWorks.

Management sources tell News 12 that the ceiling does not pose a safety risk, and that building staff had attempted to coordinate repairs with Basir but were not granted access to her building. News 12 was able to verify multiple instances of communication between C+C Management staff and BronxWorks on behalf of the tenant, and one instance of communication between the tenant herself and management.

However, Basir states building staff only observed her ceiling in past visits and did not further any repairs. C+C told News 12 in a statement, “We take all resident complaints seriously and always act promptly to complete repairs as quickly as possible. We have been continuously communicating with Ms. Basir to coordinate a time for the ceiling repairs and our vendor is scheduled to complete this work tomorrow at 10am.”

The property currently has 106 open violations from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. “

A Cooper Gardens tenant is calling for immediate attention after the ceiling in their apartment collapsed, leaving behind a dangerous and unsightly mess. The incident, which occurred earlier this month, has sparked concerns about the safety and maintenance of the building, with the tenant now seeking urgent repairs.

According to the tenant, the ceiling in their apartment, located in the aging Cooper Gardens complex, began showing signs of distress before it finally gave way. “There were small cracks and some water stains for weeks, but I never imagined the whole ceiling would cave in like this,” the tenant explained, still shaken by the experience.

The collapse caused significant damage to the apartment, with chunks of plaster and debris scattered across the floor. The tenant reports that the living area is now uninhabitable due to the safety risk and ongoing debris. “It’s dangerous, and it’s hard to live in these conditions. I’ve been trying to get the management to do something about it, but nothing has happened yet,” they added.

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The incident has raised broader questions about the state of the building, which is known for its long history and aging infrastructure. Residents of Cooper Gardens have expressed similar concerns in the past, citing issues with plumbing, heating, and general wear and tear in their apartments.

The tenant has reached out to the building’s management, requesting immediate repairs, but as of now, the situation remains unresolved. The lack of prompt action has left many feeling frustrated, questioning the responsiveness of property management in addressing serious maintenance issues.

“I’m paying rent every month, and this is how they treat their tenants?” the resident asked, visibly frustrated. “I shouldn’t have to fight for something as basic as a safe living environment.”

Local authorities and building inspectors are reportedly looking into the situation, but the tenant and others in the building are still waiting for answers. In the meantime, the Cooper Gardens resident is exploring options for temporary housing, as their apartment remains uninhabitable.

As the situation unfolds, residents are hoping for swift action from management to ensure safety and restore proper living conditions in the complex. The tenant’s main concern is not just the repairs but ensuring this doesn’t happen again to anyone else in the building.

“We need to know that our homes are safe. No one should have to live like this.”

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