A federal bankruptcy court in New Jersey has dismissed the claim made by the owners of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex on the Near East Side of Columbus.
Paxe Latitude had been ordered to fix deplorable conditions at the apartment towers, which forced the evacuation of residents last December.
The court's decision now green lights the takeover of the apartments by a receivership group to fix up the property. It also includes a $1.5 million settlement for former tenants.
They and the city are able to pursue the full amount of the more than $4.3 million in contempt fines handed down by the Environmental Court in February.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein says in a statement that the decision should send a message to any problem landlord in the city.
WOSU was unable to reach anyone with Paxe Latitude for comment.
