The Daily Dispatch

When John Schneider, owner of Community Properties in Fargo, signed into a receivership May 2004 to maintain finances and building codes for a portion of the Wahpeton Town Centre Square properties, he knew it wouldn't be easy.

In fact, he's put approximately $350,000 into numerous maintenance repairs and improvements to date.

"I don't know what the solution to this is, it's been a struggle, but I'm kind of a pit bull. I try to fix stuff," Schneider said about maintaining the property. "I like rental property, I've done this for 20 years."

Schneider will begin another round of repairs, varying from minor to significant, in the upcoming days after having an informative meeting Tuesday with city officials.

"I did share with them the outstanding indebtedness. The buildings were four or five years in the rears on property taxes," Schneider said. "That's what I've been up against since day one."

Schneider was presented with a lengthy list of repairs, including major roofing improvements on the west end of the properties he cares for above Phaze II.

City Attorney Steve Lies indicated Schneider took the list and verbally committed to taking care of the code violations.

"There is no time limit, because there was no notice of order," said Wahpeton Building Inspector Todd Johnson. "He is going to send us a work order that he has prepared. He's going to keep us informed of what he's going to do to the building, hopefully in a timely manner."

Schneider said Friday he was just finishing a work order, and although the roofing repairs depend on contractor availability, he expects all improvements to be completed within four weeks.

Schneider plans to use Lee's Roofing, Fargo, as a contractor, a trusted company he's used since 1994.

"If there's warranty work, he's out there the next day," Schneider said.

Many of Johnson's concerns over a section of property including the Gift Factory, Lasting Impressions and Mr. T's, coincide with safety hazards. Worn carpet on a set of stairs poses as a tripping hazard and must be replaced, as well as handrails from the second to first floor and several exit signs.

Schneider indicated he has a maintenance man and carpenter in Wahpeton to immediately rectify these issues.

Standing water exists in the basement of these facilities and a sump pump with an extension cord is buried there and not working.

"Apparently they were unplugged. If they're plugged in and not working, we'll replace them," Schneider said.

For the second set of lots - which includes Bon Jo's, the Motor Vehicle Branch and Phaze II -Johnson recorded ceiling tiles in need of replacement due to water seepage and light bulbs that need to be installed. The basement in this section also appears to be having water issues. "There is seepage in the west half of the basement at this time," said Johnson, indicating his list of repairs needing to be addressed.

"I'm not going to do anything with the ceiling tiles until we know what the roof issue is," Schneider said, adding he has a Lee's Roofing employee coming to Wahpeton Monday or Tuesday.

Additional handrails and exit signs in this set of buildings also need to be replaced.

As an advocate for keeping his rental properties up to par, Schneider said if he would have known about the necessary improvements he would have handled them immediately. Before Tuesday's meeting, Schneider had no pending code violations, or notice of orders filed to Jerry Meide that should have gone to him. Meide owns properties in the 400 block partnership of Town Centre Square.

"We manage an awful lot of properties. We don't let stuff get in serious disrepair if we know about it, that's just not what we're about," Schneider said.

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