A view of the Evergreen Terrace housing complex Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, in the 300 block of N. Broadway St. in Joliet. HUD is suing Joliet over its condemnation attempt. File photo | Sun-Times Media
Former Joliet City Manager John Mezera exits the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, Ill., on Thursday, October 4, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~Sun-Times Media
Former Joliet City Manager John Mezera exits the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, Ill., on Thursday, October 4, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~Sun-Times Media
CHICAGO — Former Joliet City Manager John Mezera was the first witness in the Evergreen Terrace trial Thursday as the city tried to show that it took action to condemn the housing complex after decades of unresolved problems. “Front doors would be open. Fire doors …
