Horizon West Condominium Homes in Waukesha
WAUKESHA, Wis. – The owners of Waukeshait is Horizon West Condominiums suffered another setback this week. A judge dismissed their lawsuit against Travelers Insurance.
The city forced everyone out of the condo tower in December 2021 due to structural issues. City officials have issued a razing order for the structure.
The condo owners sued Travelers Insurance when they found out they would have to pay over $1 million to demolish the building.
The owners plan to appeal.
FOX6 News met with half a dozen condo owners outside the building on Friday morning, Nov. 18. They say most of the people who lived in the condo are still paying mortgages on homes they can’t live in – and could go bankrupt.
“We know they want us to demolish the building as soon as possible. They have taken legal action against us to force us to do so. Although, honestly, I don’t know what they think we can do. .we can’t come up with that kind of money,” said Laurel Peterson, who bought a condo in 2019.
“If a tornado passed Waukesha and annihilated 49 houses, what would be the loving city of Waukesha do right now? They would help us,” said Pat Esposito, who lived in the condo for five years. “But they want us to pay to tear this building down.”
“We hear that when it was built, there were violations at that time. Well, what happened to that? Is there no one looking back? ” asked Ione Kohler, former chairman of the condominium board.
The owners told FOX6 News that the city also had them close the windows because of the break-ins.
FOX6 News has contacted the city of Waukeshabut I got no response.
GoFundMe for co-owners
If you want to help co-owners, a Go Fund Me has been set up for them.
Statement by Michael Ganzer, lawyer for the co-owners
“Horizon West owners plan to appeal. We are disappointed with the decision and intend to continue moving forward. Horizon West owners have lost all equity in their condos and still owe pay the property bills and mortgages. Many have asked if bankruptcy is an option. My clients paid for insurance to be denied. We will not give up. Justice must be served.