Owner Sells Edmond Property Deemed ‘Public Nuisance’

An Edmond property deemed a public nuisance will soon get a makeover. The New Life Village housing complex was home to veterans and now has a new owner.

“We're excited to have a new landowner,” said Tom Robins, Edmond City Councilor, Ward 1.

Robins said it’s only taken ten years to get here.

“The citizens of Edmond were tired of having a place for over ten years that was a huge nuisance,” he said.

The building is at 1300 E. Ayers, just east of the University of Oklahoma.

The city declared the property a public nuisance in February after hundreds of code violations and thousands of dollars in fines were not addressed. The area was also a hub for crime. In March, the city filed a lawsuit in district court to force the owner to clean up the dilapidated building or sell it.

“Taking them to court we found that there was an updated filing that the property has been sold,” Robins said.

The closing document shows that the property was sold to Jubilee Residences, LLC for a little over $2.6 million cash. We reached out to the new owner, who says his intent is to restore the property and give 92 future residents a nice place to live. He also said many of the safety issues have already been addressed.

“It's a positive step to have somebody who wants to positively engage with the city,” Robins said.

The building was home to 21 veterans. According to the Oklahoma VFW, the veterans were issued new housing vouchers, and all but one have moved out after several other landlords came forward and offered to take their vouchers.

“A landlord stepping up and taking these vouchers impacts the lives of these veterans in ways they will never know,” said Deric Duncan, Commander, Oklahoma VFW, District 9.

The new owner says he will also take the vouchers to offer veterans a safe, new home.

“We look forward to working with the new property owner in a positive place that will provide housing here in the city of Edmond,” Robins said.

The city says the abatement does follow the property but will work with the new owner to resolve the issues.