End of Trash Valet Services

[Alexander Monea]

Hey Everyone,

The tl;dr version is that we are switching from trash valet to using the trash chute, which brings in mice, Blue Jay still hasn't told us this, and we should all be upset and should be contacting Blue Jay or stopping by the office to complain.

A few of us were informed last night that Ernst / Blue Jay have canceled our contract for trash valet services. After today, Rod will no longer be coming by 5 times a week to pick up our trash and from what we gather, the plan is for us to return to using the trash chute.

CIM told me in no uncertain terms during the acquisition process that the reason they had closed the trash chute was because it was a significant vector for mice and other pest infestations in the building. This was such a significant problem that they closed the chute, hired a trash valet service, even though they had just recently spent money to replace the trash chute.

I also think it was a really poor management decision to make this decision without any communication with residents and to not inform us at any point that this would be our last day of trash valet services. It is an inauspicious start to our relationship with them.

I'd like to ask that anyone that thinks that this change is a bad idea and/or that Blue Jay should have been in communication with residents please contact Nicholas Sussman to voice your concerns. You can stop by the office, call (202) 813-1589, or email nich...@bluejaypm.com

Alex Monea

President, 1845 Summit Place NW Tenants Association  

[1845 Summit Pl Google Group]

Hey Everyone,

Update: I spoke with Nicholas just now. He told me that he had been planning to contact everyone today about the new trash procedures and the plan is to reopen the doors to the rooms that the trash chute is in, but not the trash chute itself. He is placing larger trash receptacles in those rooms on each floor and will have the maintenance person collect trash from them and take it to the dumpsters every morning. How this will impact the maintenance person's capacity to address all the maintenance tasks in the building is to be determined and we can address that with Nicholas after a trial period. When I told him that notifying us the day of was a bit late, he asked for flexibility, noting that starting on the 19th before the holidays has been a challenge, which is a fair point. He cited some residents' complaints of the smell of trash in the hallways as a primary motivator for this change.

Nicholas also noted to me that they will be installing a glass door to the apartment he is in (110) direct from the lobby next to the Amazon lockers. He is in the office now 5 days a week and is open to hearing from all residents about what needs improved in the building. He told me that Ernst is planning to invest in the building and redo the common area upstairs and install grills out back. I think we should collectively discuss what our desires might be and communicate them to Nicholas, as I'm not sure these would be our top priorities for investment as tenants.

Alex