A downtown Belleville apartment complex should be shut down because the owner has not installed a state-mandated fire alarm system and a fire in the complex would have a “catastrophic impact and high loss of life,” according to fire department inspection reports.
The reports, which allege multiple code violations, are attached to the city’s lawsuit filed against the owner of the Brede Towers Apartments at 104 N. High St.
Talks are underway to reach a settlement between the city and property owner, according Belleville attorney Eric Rhein, who is representing the building owner, St. Louis-based JRG Holdings–Belleville LLC. Rhein declined to comment further. Corporation records show James Mundloch is the manager of the company.
City Attorney Garrett Hoerner declined to comment on the lawsuit but Mayor Mark Eckert said the city has been “patient” with JRG Holdings.
“We tried to think about both the tenants and the ownership but they’ve got to take action on the safety and living conditions there,” Eckert said.