Arizona apartments have A/C restored after 1-month outage

Have you ever thought about the comforting sound of your air conditioning unit until it suddenly stops? Residents at the Buenas on 32nd apartment complex in Phoenix have been living without this essential amenity for months now.

Sterling Blackwell, a long-term resident, described the unbearable heat, “It was very, very hot.” He recounted how over a hundred A/C systems broke down during Arizona’s scorching summer.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes took action by filing a lawsuit against Buenas Communities LLC, the complex’s parent company, for violating state and city laws. The Phoenix City Code mandates that apartments must maintain a temperature below 82 degrees, a requirement that the complex failed to meet.

During a recent court hearing, Judge Frank Moskowitz ordered Buenas Communities LLC to provide alternate living arrangements for tenants whose A/C systems could not cool below 82 degrees. He also mandated temperature testing in five units by both the prosecutors and defense teams.

One of the residents involved in the testing, Blackwell, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing assessments, “There’s been a steady presence.” The official results are pending release.

A quick check using an infrared thermometer revealed that Blackwell’s apartment maintained a cool 73-74 degrees, complying with city regulations. Other apartments also showed improvements with temperatures below 78 degrees.

Despite the progress, some residents like Edward Thompson are still facing A/C issues. Thompson shared his struggle, “Since the A/C went down, I find other places to hang out.” His apartment’s temperature clocked in slightly over the city code at 82.5 degrees.

As the situation unfolds, there is hope for a cooler, more comfortable living environment for all residents at Buenas on 32nd.

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