For years, people living in the building at 2201-2205 Davidson Avenue in the Bronx have had to deal with broken elevators, leaking pipes, mold, rats, and even roaches. Some had to spend their own money to fix serious problems like holes in the walls or missing hot water. The building had more than 600 open housing violations, including dangerous ones like gas leaks and faulty door locks.

City Takes Over the Building After Landlord Fails to Act

After over 10 years of complaints and organizing by tenants, the City of New York finally stepped in. The city took control of the 49-unit building from the landlord due to more than $28 million in unpaid taxes, repair costs, and penalties. This is the first time in seven years the city has taken a building this way, using a program that had been paused since 2019.

A Fresh Start: Renovations and a Path to Ownership

Now, two groups—Neighborhood Restore and Lemle and Wolff—are managing the building. They plan to fix it up using city funds. Even more exciting, they’re working with tenants to possibly turn the building into an affordable co-op, where renters can eventually own their apartments. Tenants like 28-year-old Jenel Young are hopeful, saying they finally feel like things are turning around.

A Broken System, and a Push for Reform

Before the foreclosure, city agencies had tried to fine the landlord and charge him for emergency repairs, but he didn’t pay. The building had a complicated ownership history involving companies like New Day Housing Corp., Romad Realty, and landlord David Kornitzer. According to court records, Kornitzer even admitted as early as February 2024 that he was open to the city taking the building.

Kornitzer blamed unpaid rent from tenants for his inability to make repairs. A report showed that tenants owed nearly $3.2 million in rent by early 2025. But Councilmember Sanchez said that tenants were withholding rent because the landlord ignored the building’s problems for years. She stressed that the poor conditions existed long before the rent strike began.

With new leadership in place, tenants are hopeful. Salvatore D’Avola, executive director of Neighborhood Restore, said the residents have suffered long enough. Now, the focus is on making the building safe, clean, and livable again—and giving renters a real shot at owning their homes.

Tenants Are Hopeful for a Better Future

Residents say they stopped paying rent because of the terrible conditions, but now they’re ready to start paying again if the building is properly managed. Dorothy Joseph, a 72-year-old retired teacher who’s lived there for 32 years, said, “If the place is fixed and people are comfortable, they will pay the rent.” After years of waiting, tenants are starting to feel hopeful and encouraged about the future.