By Bill Torpy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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| Brittie Davis receives Water from Hosea Feed the Hungry |
A northwest
Atlanta apartment complex used as a gritty urban backdrop for an Arnold
Schwarzenegger movie had its water cut off last week and has been deemed
unsafe by the fire department.
The city switched course late Friday and turned the water back on, out of an “abundance of caution for the families involved” as efforts are made to relocate them, said Carlos Campos, a spokesman for the mayor’s office.
About 25 of the
216 units at Chappell Forest apartments were still occupied Friday, and
social service organizations were scrambling to move those residents.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution carried a story last week focusing on
the neglect and horrid living conditions there.
Brittie Davis, a resident who had tried to get the owners to fix up some units, said residents were told that city officials and nonprofit organizations were working to place the families in other housing and they would get appointments Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tamara Serwer Caldas, an attorney representing residents in legal proceedings, said she was at Chappell Forest Friday afternoon when “at least a dozen children walked onto the property after school in their uniforms. It was an emotional experience seeing them walk into apartments without water.”
The complex has had frequent changes of owners the past few years and has long been deteriorating, with many buildings boarded up and several units destroyed by fire. The property has a water bill over $1.1 million and six years of unpaid taxes. A water department official said service was stopped because burst pipes left standing water in several buildings, creating an unsanitary situation.
She said the city has been trying to collect from the latest owner, who has also been cited for numerous code violations.
Campos said, “The city is attempting to close this matter in a civilized, compassionate manner.” He said he hoped having the water back on would not prolong the process of moving families out. “We hope the remaining residents avail themselves of the offers for assistance.”
Ed Mitchell, who lives in Las Vegas, said he invested money in the building and tried to fix up some units. He said he was duped by previous owners about the scope of the unpaid water bills and should not bear the full liability.
He complained he has received very little rent since last year and said he had previously urged the city to cut off the water because many residents were effectively squatting in the apartments. He hoped a water cutoff would force the issue.
Davis agreed little rent has been paid, but she said that’s because of the neglect of the property. “We know it’s time to go,” she said. “But we’re as much the victims in this.”
The city switched course late Friday and turned the water back on, out of an “abundance of caution for the families involved” as efforts are made to relocate them, said Carlos Campos, a spokesman for the mayor’s office.
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| Brittie Davis receives water from City of Atlanta |
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| Ricky Brown, Mark Henderson, The First Ladii, ? Brittie Davis |
Brittie Davis, a resident who had tried to get the owners to fix up some units, said residents were told that city officials and nonprofit organizations were working to place the families in other housing and they would get appointments Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tamara Serwer Caldas, an attorney representing residents in legal proceedings, said she was at Chappell Forest Friday afternoon when “at least a dozen children walked onto the property after school in their uniforms. It was an emotional experience seeing them walk into apartments without water.”
The complex has had frequent changes of owners the past few years and has long been deteriorating, with many buildings boarded up and several units destroyed by fire. The property has a water bill over $1.1 million and six years of unpaid taxes. A water department official said service was stopped because burst pipes left standing water in several buildings, creating an unsanitary situation.
She said the city has been trying to collect from the latest owner, who has also been cited for numerous code violations.
Campos said, “The city is attempting to close this matter in a civilized, compassionate manner.” He said he hoped having the water back on would not prolong the process of moving families out. “We hope the remaining residents avail themselves of the offers for assistance.”
Ed Mitchell, who lives in Las Vegas, said he invested money in the building and tried to fix up some units. He said he was duped by previous owners about the scope of the unpaid water bills and should not bear the full liability.
He complained he has received very little rent since last year and said he had previously urged the city to cut off the water because many residents were effectively squatting in the apartments. He hoped a water cutoff would force the issue.
Davis agreed little rent has been paid, but she said that’s because of the neglect of the property. “We know it’s time to go,” she said. “But we’re as much the victims in this.”
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