Asteri Apartment Owners Sued Over Alleged Unsafe Living Conditions

Rendering of the proposed multi-story Asteri building in a city setting, with streets, cars, and pedestrians.
An architectural rendering illustrates the proposed Asteri building, a new housing and conference center in a Finger Lakes city.

A lawsuit has been filed against the managers and owners of the Asteri Apartments in Ithaca, accusing them of mismanagement and unsafe living conditions.

The Downtown Ithaca Development Corporation and the Ithaca Asteri Condominium Board of Managers allege the property has been plagued with health hazards, including human and animal waste, drug paraphernalia, and improper trash disposal. The suit also cites overcrowded dogs, which reportedly led to a canine parvovirus outbreak, and incidents of arson, vandalism, and flooding. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $5 million in damages, court orders to fix ongoing issues, and coverage of attorney fees.

The Asteri Apartments opened in August 2024 with 181 affordable housing units, including 40 for individuals transitioning from homelessness.

Stay Informed: Finger Lakes news, delivered to your inbox every morning.