TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Hundreds of students are still in hotels a week after they were expected to move in to a new College Town apartment complex.
Students were told last week in a last minute email that their units at Perla Apartments weren’t ready for the original Aug. 21 move-in date.
Emails shared with WCTV by multiple families set the new move-in date as Friday, Aug. 28.
Now, students who have been staying in hotels since last week were told the move in date would be pushed back again.
An email shared with WCTV sent to students just before 5 p.m. on Thursday cited delays with construction, inspection and final approval of the building. The email said the apartment complex is “working to assign the updated move-in date,” and that the “goal is to move all residents into Perla next week.”
Move-in is expected to begin next week, the property manager said in a statement Thursday night. They also apologized for the extended delay.
“Due to ongoing delays with construction, inspections, and final city approvals, move-in at Perla is now expected to begin next week. We sincerely apologize for this extended disruption and deeply appreciate the patience and flexibility of our residents and their families as we complete these final required steps.
Our top priority is ensuring our residents are housed safely and comfortably during this transition. We are coordinating directly with our contractors and city officials to secure final sign-offs, while actively arranging temporary accommodations for impacted residents. Residents will receive a follow-up message shortly with specific details regarding temporary housing and any move-in updates.”
One mother, Denise Gundel, is nearly 1,000 miles away from Tallahassee and trying to help her daughter the best she can. She said she’s had to find movers to help move her daughters things and is having to keep them in limbo while they await a move-in date.
“I realize these are adults, but they’re kids, like they’re not, you know, they’re trying to figure out the world, and they’re trying to live on their own,” Gundel said.
The Thursday night email to students also said that their current hotel placement won’t extend past Friday and they’d have to transfer to a different hotel.
“Due to the extremely limited hotel availability in the Tallahassee area with the first home football game taking place this weekend, you will need to transfer to a different hotel that will not be within walking distance from campus on Friday, August 28,” the email read.
Perla Apartments has provided students with Uber gift cards during the displacement and is increasing the amount to $30 per day, according to the email.
On Sunday, students will move yet again to another hotel that will be closer to campus.
“When you’re cramming 600 kids into hotel rooms with all the stuff they brought for college, that’s not ideal,” Gundel said.
Perla Apartments has also offered students a 100% daily rent credit for each day they’re displaced, $50 per day per diem and one month of storage up to $100 per resident.
“We know this has been a long and frustrating process, and we truly appreciate your patience and flexibility. Our team is continuing to work as quickly as possible to get you into your new home and will keep you informed as we have confirmed updates,” Perla Management said in that email to residents.
Hedrick Brothers Construction said in a statement Thursday they are actively working with their project team to complete the work at the apartment complex.
Hedrick Brothers Construction is actively working with their project team to complete the remaining work at Perla Student Housing and prepare residences for immediate student occupancy. Our teams and trade partners are working diligently on site, with a focus on completing the project safely and in accordance with the standards required for successful turnover. Hedrick Brothers Construction will continue working collaboratively with the property owner, city of Tallahassee, building department, fire department, and the owner’s private inspection provider to move the remaining work forward as efficiently as possible.
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