By Howard Packowitz

A community activist is urging Bloomington city leaders to come down hard on landlords who don’t fix their property.

Robert Bosquez, board member of the West Bloomington Revitalization Project, is calling for the city to impose tougher fines.

“What we can’t do is continue to let these landlords get away with not fixing their property,” said Bosquez.

Landlord Wayne Pelhank faced 226 code violations at 1101 Gettysburg before fire destroyed his 12 unit apartment building last month.

The city filed 572 code violations for apartment buildings Pelhank owns in the 900 blocks of West Front and Grove Streets.

Bosquez would like to see that property converted into affordable housing.

“These apartments here take up about four to six (Habitat for Humanity) homes. We can do some affordable housing there,” said Bosquez.

“Currently, Mid Central Community Action, Project Oz, Youth Build are looking for affordable housing for young adults. This is a perfect location,” Bosquez also said.

A city attorney said Pelhank has made some repairs to the buildings Front and Grove streets.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]