Long Beach : Condemnation Order Lifted

A representative for developer Craig E. Caldwell has told the Long Beach City Council that repairs on a substandard house on Golden Avenue are nearly complete, thereby halting the city’s order that the structure be improved or demolished.

Caldwell appealed the condemnation order on the house at 422 Golden Ave. to the City Council on Tuesday. In addition to the problems with the city, the house and two others across the street are the subject of a lawsuit filed against Caldwell by the Legal Aid Foundation of Long Beach.

The lawsuit alleges that tenants encountered slum-like conditions in the house. The house had leaky plumbing that caused a gaping hole to open in the bathroom floor, and a 4-year-old child was allegedly injured when she fell down the back stairs after a railing gave way. Caldwell has said that the lawsuit is without merit and that the West Long Beach area is laced with drug abusers and irresponsible tenants who do not take care of the dwellings.

Councilman Evan Anderson Braude expressed doubt about whether repairs on the house are nearly complete, saying the city “has a long record with Mr. Caldwell and his companies” and “I have never known him to come through.”

Caldwell’s representative referred calls to his attorney, who could not be reached for comment.