Florida Business Office Owner Refuses To Fix Leaky Roof For Renters

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Business owners at Norwood Plaza in Brentwood, Jacksonville, are grappling with huge water damage due to a leaking roof that the property owner allegedly refuses to repair.

Tarps are visible on the roof, and "wet floor" signs have become a common sight inside the shops. This ongoing issue has prompted a Jacksonville city councilmember to bring attention to the problem.

Elevation Lounge's head chef Derrius Hall explained the state of affairs by saying, "The landlord just doesn't care." Business owners often find themselves emptying buckets of water that have spilled through roofs after it has rained. "It affects not only us, but the entire strip," Hall clarified. "Every morning, individuals emerge from their homes carrying buckets and spill their contents outdoors, as they need to store them inside the building due to the rain and inflow of materials." He pointed out that although the panels and roof were brand-new, they now had water stains from ongoing leaks.

Water marks and damp floor indicators are also common within Vixen Beauty Suites, where the situation is comparable. Hall underlined the aggravation experienced by company owners who have made significant investments in their buildings to offer the community high-quality services, only to deal with persistent water damage. "To make it, give it back to the community, and give them a place to come get good food from, we spent a lot of money inside this place," Hall stated. "And we have to worry about things like rain and other things breaking down what we've invested in."

Jacksonville City Councilmember Ju’Coby Pittman addressed the issue during a news conference on Wednesday. She highlighted not only the roof problem but also the non-functioning parking lot lights and dangerous potholes at the plaza. Pittman mentioned that the property owner is facing fines due to the parking lot's condition and expressed her frustration at being unable to contact the owner despite trying for over a year. “Today we are requesting justice and also safety for these small businesses and for their customers,” Pittman stated.

Antione Gary, owner of Elevation Lounge, shared that his business has spent considerable amounts trying to repair parts of the parking lot and roof. “It was told to us that the parking lot was going to get fixed; we’re back to the same potholes,” Gary said, noting the continued deterioration of both the parking lot and the roof.

Attempts by First Coast News to contact the plaza's owner on Wednesday were unsuccessful. Business owners, like Hall, are hopeful that with Councilmember Pittman’s assistance, their concerns will be addressed, allowing them to continue serving the community without these ongoing challenges. “We just want him to help us help the community and keep something nice over here in the community,” Hall said.

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