Porter Apartments

Pros

• The renovations on the 100+ year-old building are described as fantastic.
• Two new elevators are viewed as a great feature, especially if one breaks down.
• The apartments are completely sealed off, keeping rodents out.
• The kitchen has new bathroom fixtures, Italian marble countertops, and new stainless steel appliances.
• The location is conveniently near the bus station.
• A resident expresses love for living there, praising the place.
• Bedbugs were controlled effectively using Aprehend, and the treatment was worth the cost.
• Paulette, the former property manager, is remembered as the best and will be missed.

Cons

• Maintenance has been poor since Redwood took over, with issues like a toilet left broken for months.
• The landlord is described as not knowing what she's doing, and the maintenance guy JT is a joke.
• There are reports of drug dealers in and out, and residents being bullied or threatened.
• Management does not respond to issues or keep promises, leaving residents waiting for help.
• The building does not accept housing vouchers or SSI.
• The place is described as dirty and run down.
• Bed bugs, rats, roaches, and mice have been present.
• The property has been criticized in the news for poor upkeep and resident dissatisfaction.

Review

This building has clearly undergone a major makeover, and its physical transformation reads loud and clear. Two elevators now serve the property, which many residents see as a big upgrade - especially in a building with 100-plus years of history. The apartments themselves have been sealed off to keep pests at bay, and the new bathroom fixtures, Italian marble countertops in the kitchen, and stainless steel appliances give the interiors a fresh, modern feel. For some tenants, these renovations are not just cosmetic; they represent a real improvement in daily living and comfort.

Despite the evident upgrades, the lived experience here is mixed, and the sentiment among residents runs the gamut from enthusiastic to exasperated. One long-time resident has been living here for three years and says they love the place, acknowledging the renovations as a bright spot. However, they also point to the ongoing friction with management - first with KMG, then with Redwood office managers - and to challenges that have complicated what should be a smoother, more enjoyable living situation. In their view, the presence of homeless individuals and the office's handling of those issues can escalate tensions, and they call for neighbors to be more self-contained and less adversarial, suggesting that if people aren't happy, they might consider moving rather than complaining.

Another set of voices recalls a less rosy period when Paulette was the property manager. A number of residents describe a deterioration in maintenance after Redwood took over, with specific anecdotes about a toilet that remained broken from October until what some describe as a crisis point - prompting involvement from health authorities after illness related to the conditions. The maintenance staff, including a person named JT, is critiqued as ineffective, and there are broader concerns about drug activity, drug dealers, and bullying around the building. In these accounts, the landlord is accused of permitting intimidation and fights, and residents feel their safety and well-being are not adequately protected. The sense of frustration is palpable, with calls to stop tolerating the status quo and to consider relocating if the situation cannot improve.

The communication gap is a recurrent theme in these reports. Promises are made - issues will be addressed in the office on certain days - but for many, those pledges vanish into thin air without real action. The sentiment is not simply one of dissatisfaction, but of feeling unheard and unsupported by management when problems arise. A few residents even express a desire to distance themselves from what they see as mismanagement, echoing a broader complaint about the building providing housing to what some perceive as out-of-state slumlords, rather than focusing on resident welfare and accountability.

Amid the criticism, there are pockets of praise that remind you why people stay. One resident's long-term appreciation for the location near the bus station is highlighted as a major perk, and they celebrate the two elevators as a practical advantage - in case one breaks down, another is available. A notable individual story centers on bedbugs: one resident reports treating their unit with a product called Aprehend and claims that after a single dose, bedbugs have not reappeared. They describe the location and accessibility as unbeatable, turning a portion of the experience into a win, even as pests remain a concern for others. This mix of personal triumph and persistent pest issues underscores how differently residents experience the same building.

The recollection of Paulette as a beloved manager adds another layer to the overall picture. For many, Paulette's stewardship is recalled with genuine affection and a sense of loss - she's described as "the best" by those who interacted with her, and her departure is felt as a notable downturn in the building's management style. As one resident puts it, "We are all going to miss Paulette," which speaks to a broader sentiment that effective, compassionate management can make a substantial positive difference in residents' daily lives. Yet this fond memory sits alongside other voices that admit the property could use improvement and that the current state of affairs is far from ideal.

In sum, the property presents a compelling paradox. The renovations and amenities - two elevators, sealed units to curb rodents, modern fixtures and finishes - offer real value and improve daily living for many residents. But the lived reality for others is haunted by maintenance delays, safety concerns, pest infestations, and uneven management responses. Some tenants sing the building's praises and feel fortunate about the location and the improved interiors, while others describe a cycle of neglect, unresolved issues, and a sense that promises to fix problems aren't kept. The building's true character, it seems, lies in this tension between its bright, upgraded surface and a persistent, sometimes troubling, undercurrent of maintenance, safety, and governance challenges.

This part of Lansing, Michigan, offers a variety of amenities for individuals considering senior living. There are several restaurants within close proximity, ranging from Southern BBQ to Mexican cuisine. Nearby parks such as Rotary Park and Quentin Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. In terms of healthcare, Sparrow Hospital and various pharmacies are conveniently located within a mile radius. Additionally, there are options for medical specialists at Sparrow Children's Center and Lansing Internal Medicine Associates. For entertainment, NCG Eastwood Cinemas is just a short drive away. Overall, this area provides a blend of dining options, healthcare facilities, recreational opportunities, and entertainment venues that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking to reside in Lansing.

Restaurants

• Sidecar Lansing (0.6 miles)
• Lansing Brewing Company (0.8 miles)
• Pablo's Old Town Mexican Restaurant (1.4 miles)
• Meat Southern BBQ & Carnivore Cuisine (1.4 miles)
• Zoobie's Old Town Tavern (1.5 miles)
• Esquire Bar (1.5 miles)
• The Avenue Cafe (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Rotary Park (0.6 miles)
• Quentin Park (1.2 miles)
• Frances Park (2 miles)
• Hawk Island County Park (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Sparrow Cath Lab (1 miles)
• Sparrow Pharmacy Main Campus (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Hospital Cafeteria (1.1 miles)
• Halliday Renee Pa Sparrow Hospital Lansing (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Health System (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Regional Neonatal Icu (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Hospital- 4 Foster (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Sparrow Outpatient Pharmacies (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Pharmacy Plus #1 (1.1 miles)
• Sparrow Pharmacy Plus (1.1 miles)
• Ingham Regional Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Mclaren Drug Shop Irmcp (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Biggby Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)

Physicians

• Sparrow Children's Center (1.1 miles)
• Heather Bellow MD (1.1 miles)
• Dudek Stanley MD (1.1 miles)
• Lansing Internal Medicine Associates (1.1 miles)
• Dr Monica Goble (1.1 miles)
• D'mello Dale MD (1.2 miles)
• Well Child Health Center (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Sycamore Creek Church (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (2.9 miles)
• Amtrak (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• NCG Eastwood Cinemas (3.2 miles)