Squatters in high-rise kept out by neighboring business owner

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The security fence was open again, this time pulled apart even further and the wiring which kept it shut was gone. A telltale sign squatters are back in the abandoned Downtown Henderson high-rise, a concern that’s living there rent-free.

Jeremy Day, owner of Freak’s Tattoo Emporium, stood next to the damaged chain link fence examining how an alleged squatter pried the fence posts back open.

“I don’t know how they bent it,” Day said. “I tried bending it back with a ratcheting tie-down strap by putting it across and putting it back again a couple times, but they keep bending it open somehow.”

For the past few months, Day has attempted to keep the neighboring seven-story, 151-unit mixed-use apartment building The Watermark secure and clean from unwelcome “tenants.”

“The homeless keep s——- in here and along the back of my building, it’s disgusting,” he said. “I come out here with a shovel all the time and clean it up.”

Freak’s Tattoo Emporium runs along the south side of The Watermark and Day said he has told squatters multiple times to keep away from the property, and the property owner is nowhere to be found.

Day has no investment in The Watermark, but he feels like to keep his business safe he must keep squatters away from causing damage to the neighboring property which may cross over—like fires.

“I’m worried as time goes on, it gets cold out, they’re going to light fires or something,” he said. “I’ve had multiple confrontations where I’ve actually told them, they need to leave the property. They’re in the parking garage, as far as I know, but they’re in there all the time.”

Other residents told NewsNation affiliate KLAS they have spotted individuals on the upper floors of the property beyond the parking garage, raising concerns about access to the apartment units.

Alleged theft from the property has become another issue as unused resources sit open on the building’s lot—something Day has witnessed and stopped.

“She was standing out here with a box and he was throwing it over and she was picking it up and putting it back in the box,” he said. “They took off running when I came out here.

Day said he spoke with a City of Henderson police officer about what law enforcement can do but was allegedly told it was out of their hands.

“He said the biggest problem is because they don’t have a list of who’s supposed to go into the property,” Day said. “They said unless the owners call them there’s no way to know if the person is allowed in there or not.”

The City of Henderson Police Department responded to 8 News Now regarding reports in the past three months associated with The Watermark, and noted since March there have been no service calls for people inside the property.

A police spokesperson added residents who spot people going into the property are urged to call 311 call 311 or 702-267-5000 opt 2 for police response.

Day said he is disappointed to see a property with such promise for the Downtown Henderson community sit empty and become a hazard.

“I would just like to see this place open and finished,” he said.

Why is it empty?

Construction on “The Watermark” stalled in December when contractors walked off the job, as 8 News Now first reported nearly $16 million worth of liens against the property.

Seven months after initial concerns the company associated with the property, DTH 215 Venture LLC, declared bankruptcy. The company is associated with the developer Strada Development Group.

Documents obtained by KLAS show the seven-story, 151-unit mixed-use apartment building is about 95% complete.

Representatives for the property developer and the construction company contracted to complete the site, Gilett Construction, have been embroiled in a legal battle disputing work, pay, and even ownership of the building.

The bankruptcy filing from June 5, indicates approximately 50 to 99 creditors are seeking payment from the company associated with the high-rise on Water Street.

8 News Now reached out to Strada Development Group and the company has not provided a statement regarding the status of the property, yet.

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