Feedback: Developer horror stories?

(I do not mean to pick on Middle Earth Developers, and I can't substantiate the claims that I've heard. For that reason, I would like to open up the comments for issues that you've had with any developer, particularly those developing in the inner city.

I have two goals with this post: To alert potential buyers, and to engage the developers with these comments to try to find some resolutions - or to let them refute the claims.)

I recently met with a couple of residents of Downtown's Lofts at Graydon Place, a 30-unit project developed by Middle Earth Developers at 26 E Sixth Street (BIRD'S EYE).

Both told me that they're tired of the delays, the constant change orders, and not receiving what they were promised when they purchased their units.

They both said that they had to wait three and a half years to park in the building's garage, which Middle Earth had promised would be open in March 2005.

And a common rooftop deck, which was to cover nearly the entire roof, has been reduced to one-quarter of its size - presumably due to fire codes.

The complaints are nothing new.

On the Urban Ohio message board, one former resident said that a buyer at Graydon Place was promised his condo by June 2004, and it hadn't been completed a full year later.

He also said that one buyer purchased a 1,400-square-foot unit, only to see it shrink to 1,240 square feet by move-in time.

A resident of Kinsey Flats, another Middle Earth project, says that they waited forever for the basement's recreation room to be completed, and even suffered through a period where the basement still had a dirt floor.

The board of the Graydon Place condo association tries to stay on top of all of the problems, but they feel that they're getting the brush-off.

Though litigation is unlikely due to cost and duration, many residents have punch lists (lists of things that need to be fixed) that are quite lengthy and would like to feel like they're being heard.

They wonder if the company is spreading itself too thin and ignoring the "extras", though they do agree that the units themselves have turned out amazing.

Middle Earth Developers is currently developing Parker Flats at Fourth Street and Central Avenue and has announced plans for an upscale project in the old Enquirer Building at 617 Vine Street.