On November 8, 2023, the city of Revere filed a petition in housing court to enforce the state sanitary code and appoint a receiver for the troubled property at 364 Ocean Avenue. This action follows ongoing concerns regarding the building's safety and habitability, which have escalated over the past year.

During a hearing on January 12, 2024, Water's Edge, the property owner, announced the hiring of a new contractor, Christopher Tinaglia, to oversee remediation efforts. However, the court expressed dismay at the limited scope of this contract, which allowed for only 16 hours of work per week. In response, the court consolidated related cases and scheduled a receivership hearing, highlighting the city's serious concerns about the qualifications of Tinaglia and his associate, Matthew O'Boyle, whose experience primarily involves marijuana dispensaries rather than high-rise building remediation.

The situation deteriorated further when the city discovered that the new contractors had submitted an incomplete permit application and ceased communication. By July 2024, the city learned that liens had been filed against the property by Tinaglia and O'Boyle's companies, and Water's Edge had failed to make necessary mortgage payments and had stopped funding fire watch services at the site.

Deputy Chief Paul Cheever of the Revere Fire Department confirmed that the building's fire alarm system was inoperable, necessitating a continuous fire watch since late 2022. Inspections revealed numerous violations, including a malfunctioning fire pump and corroded sprinkler heads, which collectively rendered the building unfit for human habitation. The presence of mold, rodent infestations, and structural damage further exacerbated the health risks to tenants.

The city emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the building's conditions pose a direct threat to tenant safety and public health. With the recent updates to the state sanitary code mandating that property owners provide comparable housing upon condemnation, the city is prepared to take decisive action to protect the tenants.

In conclusion, city officials are advocating for the condemnation of the property, citing Water's Edge's repeated failures to address the egregious violations and the imminent danger posed to residents and emergency responders. The board is urged to act swiftly to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.