LOWELL, Mass. — More than 200 people are being forced out of their homes after UMass Lowell announced it’s buying them to turn into dorms.
The sale will be finalized in just a few days and many residents say they feel left in the dark. Many Perkins Place residents said they would have never moved here if they had known they'd be kicked out.
“Yes- we feel duped. Very much so,” said Ralph Sutter.
Ralph Sutter moved into a loft at 39 Perkins St. seven months ago and says management told him they had no intentions of selling the building. Sutter is so upset that he plans to move out of Lowell completely.
“Who wants to rent in a city where you don't know if your building is going to be sold to the university at any given moment and you're expected to pack your bag and leave?!” he said.
Perkins Place leases apartments one and two bedroom apartments, with one bedroom rent starting at $1450 a month
A UMass Lowell spokeswoman sent us a statement, saying in part:
"UMass Lowell understands what the tenants are facing and how disappointed they are. No one wants to move from their home, especially when it is not by choice, which is why we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible."
UMass Lowell will help to pay relocation costs, and allow residents to stay until May of next year. But Lowell city councilor Rita Mercier said that if this deal goes through, the city will suffer. Mercier said the developer for Perkins Place received tax credit to convert the building into private housing. Now, those residents and their tax dollars could leave, possibly create a ripple effect.
“Will they then be our worst marketing tools- saying, don't go to Lowell, this is what happened to me!” she said.
FOX25 asked to speak with the owner and management at Perkins Place...but were told they had no comment.
UMass Lowell said they are working with the city and the residents here to resolve any tensions, but residents said they'll continue to fight to stay here permanently.