You should make one trip to the area for 3 days and network in person.

What is the best course of action? 

Multifamily is considered residential since people reside in the structure. it's part of contractors license law, our testing is on it and violating can and will result in punitive actions.

The utility company missed an appointment and no communication from them or action to even reschedule.

"Holding onto a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."

In any disputed court action where the court resolves the dispute and determines the prevailing party, the court shall also award to the prevailing party its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs and the non-prevailing party shall be liable to the prevailing party for payment of any court awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.

I personally have success in doing flips with my partner here in Ohio.Lakewood and Edgewater are gentrifying neighborhoods in Cleveland.

If you need more to do the rehab, perhaps instead of partnering, you could get your former boss to do a personal loan. 

I have personally worked with @Wale Lawal and he is awesome. 

It will give you their time as a licensed professional, the education they have completed for the current renewal schedule, and any disciplinary action against them.