CRESTWOOD, Mo. - A Crestwood apartment complex has been deemed so dangerous that people are being forced to leave.

The City of Crestwood has spent months trying to address “life safety” issues at Forestview Apartments. However, after the problems were not addressed, residents have now been ordered to vacate.

In two weeks, everyone must be out of one of the apartment buildings at Forestview Apartment Complex. It was deemed so unsafe that it's unfit for habitation. It stems from code violation issues in Crestwood that go back almost a full year. FOX 2 News has obtained an original inspection report dated September 2024.

"We were just looking for the forest view apartment complex to get into compliance with some of the various code violations," Crestwood Communications Manager A.J. McNaughton said.

Instead, the City of Crestwood says no corrective actions have been taken. The list of issues unaddressed include exposed or deteriorating electric service lines, leaking plumbing stacks, and inadequate basement support structures. The acting building commissioner has now ordered the building be vacated by Sept. 10.

The order applies to one out of 11 buildings at the complex. But the rest of the buildings are also in jeopardy of the same fate.

"If they're able to make the repairs, we'll go from there. But if they're unable to meet that deadline, then we'll move to dangerous building hearings as well," McNaughton said.

Forestview Apartments, built in 1962, has more than 200 units. If repairs are not made by Oct. 21, the rest of the buildings could also be deemed too dangerous, leaving residents in limbo.

"A lot of them are understanding of these are serious issues and obviously from the city's standpoint, we want a safe environment for the residents to live in," McNaughton said.

FOX 2 reached out to the property owner, Pepper Pike, for comment. We got an e-mail from Forestview JV, LLC with a statement. It claims that the conditions at issue have existed for decades prior to their ownership.

"We are mobilizing to complete Building #8 repairs in line with code requirements and remain committed to keeping the property safe and habitable," the statement reads. "That being said, we are doing everything we can to maintain a standard consistent with current code while also recognizing that certain conditions are common in buildings of this vintage and are often treated differently under building codes."

The statement said that Forestview expects residents will be allowed to stay in their units while repairs are being made. However, the city says that its understanding of the judge's order is that residents must move out during repairs. However, The City of Crestwood did say that Forestview Apartments is planning to appeal the judge's order.