2254 Davidson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453

The five-story, 37-unit tenement building at 2254 Davidson Avenue in University Heights, owned by Melvin Newhouse, has experienced recurring maintenance challenges since 2023. Most notably, there have been multiple heat and hot water outages affecting the entire building, with verified incidents reported in November 2023, January 2024, and April 2025. The building has also faced issues with rodent infestation, as evidenced by recent inspections in 2025 showing rat activity, following similar findings in previous years.

A concerning pattern of maintenance violations has emerged, particularly in 2024, when violations were documented for smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance in apartments 1D and 5E, as well as various plumbing and electrical issues requiring attention. The property has a history of bedbug incidents, with confirmed infestations noted in late 2024, though these were reportedly eradicated. Inspection records show the building experiences regular rodent activity, with most recent inspections in 2025 confirming ongoing infestation concerns. Recent compliance inspections have shown mixed results, with some inspections passing while others noted rat activity.

There has been some attention to building systems, with violations issued for paint/plaster conditions in walls and ceilings, and various infrastructure maintenance issues requiring correction. The heating system has been a particular point of concern, with multiple emergency complaints indicating recurring problems, though most recent inspections confirmed restoration of services. While some violations have been resolved, including those related to safety systems such as smoke detectors, other issues remain outstanding. The building's age (constructed in 1922) and history of maintenance complaints suggest ongoing challenges with building systems and infrastructure.