Vegas Block Apartments Vacated, Court Orders Housing for Some

A Sixth Circuit Court Judge has ordered the city of Concord to pay for temporary housing for five former tenants of the Vegas Block Apartments on 154 N. Main St. after New Hampshire Legal Assistance filed an emergency request on behalf of the tenants.

Judge John Coughlin signed off on the order after officials toured the building. The judge agreed with the city that the apartment building needed to be closed and ordered it to be done by 4 p.m. on Aug. 8.

The court, however, also ordered that the city pay hotel accommodations and transportation for four clients through Aug. 12. A fifth client will have accommodations through Aug. 11. The five qualified for such assistance under the existing City Human Services guidelines, according to city officials. Two others will be provided temporary lodging by the new building owner, Remi Hinxhia.

Four units in the building on the second floor as well as access doors to the building were ordered to be padlocked. A review hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12.

The injunction came after fire officials toured the building at the request of Hinxhia and found it to be a danger to the public.

A few of the tenants and people who were squatting in the building were visibly upset as they were moving items out on Aug. 8. Twice today, officers were called to Pleasant Street and Storrs Street to speak to one former resident, with a long history of arrests, who was yelling and screaming at business owners and pedestrians.

According to scanner chatter, police secured the building on schedule and officers are currently on detail at the building. Fire officials have also been parked on Capitol Street, keeping an eye on the building, all day today.