Introduction to the Dispute
A South Florida preschool operates in a local church during the day, but a lawsuit from the landlord and bizarre behavior caught on camera at night has them praying for a new home. The hallways at this preschool are empty and quiet, as class was canceled a few weeks ago, and some of the reasons why were caught on video.
Background on the Preschool and Church
Two years ago, Avanda Academic Alliance took over the lease from a school located inside Faith Presbyterian Church of Pembroke Pines. Daniel Grimm, the owner of Avanda, says the relationship between the school and the church started off great, but things broke down when the plumbing backed up. The plumbing issues led to the school stopping payment of rent, as they claimed it was their right as tenants to do so if the landlord failed to make necessary repairs.
The Eviction Process
The church started to evict the school in September, and last month, a judge ordered the school to pay up. However, Daniel couldn’t come up with the money, which led to strange occurrences at the school. The school’s surveillance cameras captured people roaming the halls at night, which Daniel described as "beyond bizarre." One video shows two people, one in a red coat and another person who has covered their head with a pink cloth, roaming the halls. Another video shows a person on the floor, dragging herself and playing music for hours.
Response from the Church
The church’s attorney, Claudia Barona, met with 7News in the parking lot and stated that the church has access to the facility at any time, according to the lease. However, she failed to explain the strange behavior caught on camera. Barona claimed that Avanda breached its lease a year ago due to multiple issues before the school stopped paying rent. She also stated that the plumbing issues only started after the church filed for eviction in September.
Health Department Involvement
Faith Presbyterian Church of Pembroke Pines was cited last month by the Broward County Health Department due to several reports of sewage leaks at the property since December of last year. The department said the church has failed to maintain a septic system, causing a continuous release of untreated sewage onto publicly accessible spaces. A hearing to determine whether the church has made the necessary repairs is set for early April.
Current Status and Future Plans
Daniel couldn’t afford to keep fighting the eviction case, so he packed everything up and moved out. However, he’s not sure where to go and is currently reaching out to parents for ideas on a new location. He hopes Avanda can reopen soon in a new home that’s free of nighttime visitors.
Conclusion
The dispute between Avanda Academic Alliance and Faith Presbyterian Church of Pembroke Pines has led to the closure of the preschool and the search for a new home. The bizarre behavior caught on camera at night has raised concerns about the safety and security of the property. The church’s failure to maintain a septic system has also led to health concerns, and a hearing is set to determine whether the necessary repairs have been made.
FAQs
- Q: Why did the preschool stop paying rent?
A: The preschool stopped paying rent due to plumbing issues that the church failed to repair. - Q: What strange behavior was caught on camera?
A: People were seen roaming the halls at night, including one person dragging themselves on the floor and playing music for hours. - Q: What did the church’s attorney say about the lease?
A: The church’s attorney stated that the church has access to the facility at any time, according to the lease. - Q: What was the outcome of the eviction case?
A: The judge ordered the school to pay up, but Daniel couldn’t afford to pay, leading to the school being evicted. - Q: What is the current status of the preschool?
A: The preschool is currently closed, and the owner is searching for a new location to reopen.
