GREENSBORO — Councilman Mike Barber wants the city to shut down the troubled Heritage House condominium complex after officials find alternative housing for residents. Until then, Barber said, he wants the city to hire armed, off-duty police officers to protect residents 24 hours a day. He cited high crime, unsanitary conditions and general squalor in the complex, including homeless people living in the stairwells. “We cannot simply let this issue bump along,” Barber said about the condos at West Meadowview and Randleman roads. “We need to take quick and decisive action.”

Barber’s comments came Friday, the same day a resident told the News & Record all four elevators are broken at the six-story high-rise.That’s reason enough for the city to condemn Heritage House based on a city ordinance, Barber said. But the city first must inspect the building, something that could happen as early as next week. Ben Holder, a frequent critic of conditions at Heritage House, filed a petition late Friday asking the city to inspect all 178 units — a request any resident can make. Heritage House has been a persistent problem for city and police officials for years.

Records show that in the past 12 months, police or emergency responders visited 2,860 times — an average of about eight visits a day.

The homeowners association also owes the city about $50,000 for past-due water bills. Read more: