Vista Shadow Mountain Residents Leaving Despite Paid Water Bill

Many Vista Shadow Mountain apartment complex residents are moving out of their homes after inspections by the city showed their units are unsafe to live in. Originally the residents were told they might have to leave because the complex failed to pay their $108,000 water bill. While the water will no longer be shut off to the complex, the apartment has now been put under a fire watch by the City of Tulsa due to what they are calling a “heightened fire risk” in many of the units.

This story began a month ago when the City of Tulsa told the complex owners they were going to shut off their water unless their outstanding balance was paid by July 7. During that time, residents were told they would need to move out if the bill was not paid since they are not legally allowed to live somewhere that does not have a water supply. The complex also told some residents they would need to move out either way since a winter pipe burst left most of their units damaged.

Tulsa City Councilor Lori Decter Wright became involved a few weeks ago when she began asking residents what they need and how she could help find them somewhere to live. She said she has also been taking tours of some of the apartments to see what conditions residents are dealing with.

We originally told you on Wednesday the Vista Shadow Mountain complex paid their $108,000 water bill on Tuesday morning. In an interview with News On 6 on Tuesday afternoon, the New Jersey based building owners pulled out a document that said they paid the bill. News On 6 later discovered that the document that was shown was not accurate and the bill was not paid until Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the water shut-off deadline. The city did confirm that the bill was paid and it won’t be shutting off the complex’s water.

The City of Tulsa released a statement saying they are also willing to meet with the complex owners to discuss any other water issues.

With the water bill payment behind them, the apartments are now under a fire watch after the Fire Marshal said several unit inspections showed unsafe living conditions and heightened fire hazards. This means the property is monitored 24/7 by a contracted company approved by the Tulsa Fire Marshal to ensure a quick response to any possible fire.

Many of the residents are now being told to move out due to safety concerns.

Tulsa City Councilor Wright said she is asking for community donations and resources to help those impacted and displaced. She is holding a pop-up resource clinic for the residents on Saturday, July 10 at from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Volunteers of America Oklahoma located on the northwest corner of East 61st Street and South Mingo Road at 9605 E 61st Street.

Wright said they need donations of suitcases, duffle bags, moving boxes, packing tape, and markers to help folks pack up their belongings.

Trinity Episcopal Church is coordinating the Blessing Bags for those who are going into hotels (a gallon ziplock bag with essentials such as travel-sized hygiene items and snacks).

If you can offer help with the following, email her office at dist7@tulsacouncil.org or contact Housing Solutions Tulsa:

-Trucks and volunteers to help those who have secured new housing to be able to move into it right away.

-Temporary pet foster homes for those residents who have pets but no immediate place to take them as they move out.

-Folks with hotels or short-term rentals willing to work with displaced residents.

-Monetary donations to assist with this situation can be made to any of the nonprofit agencies partnering with us on this effort: Housing Solutions Tulsa, James Mission, and Volunteers of America Oklahoma.

Any residents needing free rental assistance, aid with applications for new housing, help with moving costs, hotel night stays, etc. can come see the team on Saturday.

There will be a shuttle service available for those needing transportation to and from 61st and Memorial.