Latest news with #BiancaMotleyBroom
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deadline near for residents of condemned College Park apartment complex
The Brief The city of College Park is criticizing the owners of a condemned apartment complex ahead of a deadline for residents to move out. While the deadline to vacate the Chelsea Gardens Apartments was originally in April, protests eventually led it to be extended to June 1. The city is asking the management to "ensure that all aspects of relocation support are comprehensively provided and that future communications are characterized by transparency and accountability." COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - The deadline for residents of a condemned College Park apartment complex to move out has nearly arrived. After months of extensions and protests, the final notice dealing with the closure of the Chelsea Gardens Apartments will happen on June 1. The backstory Residents of the apartment complex off of Godby Road have complained that the property has been plagued by rodents and safety issues. Since last October, the city has cited hundreds of public health and sanitation code violations at the complex. In March, the complex's new owner abruptly notified tenants that their leases had been canceled, giving them 60 days to leave. In April, the city condemned the property and initially gave residents just a few days to vacate. After public backlash, the deadline was extended until June. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has previously criticized how city officials have managed the situation at the complex. "While I understand and share the concerns about the property's condition, the way this situation has been handled has caused unnecessary chaos, fear, and instability for families who deserve better from us," Broom said earlier this month. What they're saying In a statement released on Friday night, the city acknowledged the final notice of the apartments' closure, but criticized the conditions of the complex by its owners. "Chelsea Gardens Management must accept full responsibility for the circumstances that have created this unhealthy and unsafe living environment," the statement read. The city said they were grateful for the work of Sage Hands and other partners who have "stepped up" to help with relocation for the remaining residents. "We strongly urge management to ensure that all aspects of relocation support are comprehensively provided and that future communications are characterized by transparency and accountability. It is time for management to step up and take ownership of this situation in a meaningful way," the statement read. What's next Dozens of tenants still live at the complex and say their power and water have been cut out ahead of the deadline. SEE ALSO: College Park residents given days to pack up and get out their apartments Metro Atlanta apartment complex condemned, residents sent packing Residents of condemned College Park apartments call for extension to move-out deadline The Source Information for this story came from a letter for the city of College Park and previous FOX 5 reporting.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
College Park's mayor: botched apartment closing led to ‘unnecessary chaos and fear'
The Brief Residents of the Chelsea Gardens apartment complex were initially given days to leave condemned apartments. Then, after public backlash, the city extended the deadline to leave until end of June Mayor Bianca Motley Broom says missteps caused "unnecessary chaos and fear" COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - The mayor of College Park admits the city mishandled the chaotic eviction of the residents of Chelsea Gardens Apartments. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom slammed how city officials in a statement following the debacle. "I'm deeply concerned that the involvement of city leadership in this sweeping eviction may have accelerated displacement rather than protecting those most affected," Mayor Motley Broom wrote. "While I understand and share the concerns about the property's condition, the way this situation has been handled has caused unnecessary chaos, fear, and instability for families who deserve better from us." She has now vowed to do everything in her power to help the residents find new housing. Timeline The Chelsea Gardens apartment complex in College Park has been plagued by rodents and safety issues. In March, a new owner of Chelsea Gardens told residents their leases were cancelled and everyone had 60 days to get out. City officials condemned the complex in April, giving residents only a few days to move out. Public backlash led to a reversal, extending the deadline to the end of June. What they're saying "The landlord of Chelsea Gardens tried to carry out illegal evictions with no due process for tenants. The only intervention that the city did, was to join with the landlords to condemn the property," a member of the public said during a May 5 public comment session. Mayor Motley Broom said she was not consulted on the condemnation before city officials moved forward with it. "My priority is making sure that the people involved are taken care of," Bianca Motley Broom, College Park mayor, said. "In hindsight, we can look at a number of things, including communication and keeping our residents at the center and the core of everything that we do." The backstory A city spokesperson says displaced residents are being assisted in relocating to apartment complexes in DeKalb County with help from the nonprofits Initiative for Affordable Housing and Sage Hands International. The new owners have ambitious plans for renovation and redevelopment, which can only proceed once the units in need of repair and upgrades are vacated," the spokesperson said in a statement. The statement also said a majority of the more than 400 units have already been vacated. On Monday afternoon, FOX 5 observed dozens of people still living there. The mayor says she has regularly returned to the complex assisting residence that are there. "At this point, that looks like working in conjunction with our nonprofit partners," Motley Broom said. "I've been down there myself and doing things on my own as well, because everybody's got to pitch in." SEE ALSO: College Park residents given days to pack up and get out their apartments Metro Atlanta apartment complex condemned, residents sent packing Residents of condemned College Park apartments call for extension to move-out deadline The Source This article is based off of original reporting by FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo. Additional information was provided by residents of Chelsea Gardens, publicly available information, and a spokesperson for the City of College Park.
