For two long nights, tenants at 2065 Morris Ave in Fordham shuffled through pitch-black hallways and stairwells by the glow of cellphone flashlights after common-area power was cut in their 11-story apartment building. Elevators were out, shared spaces were dark, and for older or mobility-limited residents, what is usually a simple trip to the lobby turned into a safety and accessibility headache. Lights inside the individually metered apartments stayed on, which only made the blackout in the rest of the building feel more surreal, tenants said. Power was finally restored Friday evening.
Con Edison says shutoff was a last resort
Residents told reporters the blackout followed missed payments on a Con Edison account they say is handled by management, identified as Highbridge Community Development Corp. A Con Edison spokesperson characterized pulling the plug on common-area service as a measure of last resort, describing it as a step that is only
"used when a customer has repeatedly failed to pay their energy bills over a prolonged period and has not enrolled in a flexible payment plan to meet their obligation," according to News 12 New York.
Building’s record shows persistent complaints
Public property records list 2065 Morris Ave as an 11-story building with roughly 63 residential units and a history of permits and enforcement actions tied to the address. Property databases also show multiple housing complaints and prior violations at the site, pointing to an ongoing pattern of maintenance troubles that tenants say has been simmering long before the lights went out, according to PropertyShark.
DOB partial vacate, 77 open violations
The Department of Buildings has issued a partial vacate order for portions of the property, and inspectors have logged 77 open violations tied to conditions inside, News 12 New York reports. The problems include mice infestation, broken carbon monoxide detectors and mold, all of which fall squarely into the safety and habitability category rather than mild annoyances.
One neighbor summed up the blackout bluntly for reporters, saying, "It's scary, it's pitch black, we can't see," as residents navigated the darkened building. A source confirmed to News 12 that management made a payment Friday night and service was restored. Building management did not respond to requests for comment.
What a partial vacate usually signals
Partial vacate orders typically bar tenants and visitors from using specific areas that city inspectors have flagged as unsafe until the owner fixes the issues and the Department of Buildings signs off on the repairs. They can foreshadow further enforcement or fines if a landlord drags their feet on making things right. In previous cases, the Department has leaned on vacate orders as a way to protect the public when inspectors find structural or health hazards, according to CBS New York.
Tenants and local advocates say the blackout saga is a sharp reminder of how fast things can turn dangerous when owners fall behind on bills or basic maintenance. They are pushing for clearer communication from management and faster responses to repairs. City agencies and tenant groups point residents toward 311 and legal services if unsafe conditions continue, and say existing enforcement records at the building will help determine what happens next.
