Latest news with #ChelseaGardens
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Displaced Chelsea Gardens tenants still waiting on help that was promised
The Brief The College Park City Council approved additional funds to support displaced tenants, including a $20,000 payment on top of $86,000 already given to Sage Hands International for assistance. Housing rights activists confronted Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie, accusing her of not fulfilling promises to fund moving costs and provide rent for displaced tenants, which she denied. Despite city claims of providing aid through local nonprofits, many displaced tenants report not receiving the promised assistance and some remain in the condemned complex due to lack of alternatives. COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - Displaced tenants of the condemned Chelsea Gardens apartment complex say they're still waiting for promised assistance, even as the College Park City Council approved additional funds Monday night to support residents forced from their homes. City officials had ordered residents to vacate the dilapidated complex by Sunday, citing unsafe living conditions. While the city says it has paid local nonprofits to provide aid, some tenants and housing advocates accuse officials of facilitating what they call illegal evictions. What we know The City Council voted Monday to accept a $20,000 payment intended to help residents who have been displaced. That's in addition to $86,000 already paid to Sage Hands International, an organization tasked with assisting tenants. Attempts to reach Sage Hands for comment and clarity on what has been done with the money have not been unsuccessful. What they're saying Over the weekend, housing rights activists with the Party for Socialism and Liberation confronted Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie at a community event, alleging she had promised a council vote to fully fund moving costs and provide three months of rent for former tenants. "Some of us were fortunate and were able to get help, but a lot of them don't have that option," said former resident Sarah Ganzy, who moved out two weeks before the building was condemned. "They provided a moving truck, but that's [all] they've done—like financially, they haven't done anything." "It is only the power of us that brought it to this point," said activist Bezaleel Jupiter. McKenzie pushed back, saying she never made such a commitment. "No, there was no strong-arming," she said. "This is something that they need to discuss with other council members and the mayor. It's not even my jurisdiction." McKenzie defended the city's actions, saying, "Everything that the City of College Park has done has been in the best interest of the residents." Ganzy said she believes some people remain at the complex, now living there without legal housing because they have nowhere else to go. What's next City officials say they've also sent funding to other local charities to help meet residents' needs. Still, displaced tenants like Ganzy say they haven't seen those resources firsthand. SEE ALSO: Deadline near for residents of condemned College Park apartment complex College Park city manager fired amid Chelsea Gardens controversy Chelsea Gardens residents protest water shutoffs and alleged eviction tactics College Park residents given days to pack up and get out their apartments Residents of condemned College Park apartments call for extension to move-out deadline The Source FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo attended Monday's College Park City Council meeting to gather details for this article.
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.
Arabian Business
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
ALAIA Developments makes real estate foray in Dubai with Chelsea Gardens
After two decades of investment expertise in the region, ALAIA Developments is making a foray into Dubai's booming real estate market. ALAIA's debut project is Chelsea Gardens, an 11-floor residential building strategically located along Sheikh Zayed Road in Jumeirah Garden City, featuring 56 studios, 1- and 2-bedroom units. Each unit has been meticulously built with thoughtful design considerations, careful craftsmanship, aiming to provide opulent living. The location could not be more convenient. Chelsea Garden is at the heart of the redeveloped Satwa area (now known as Jumeirah Garden City) and stretches alongside the main Sheikh Zayed Road. It is less than 10 minutes away from Burj Khalifa, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Business Bay, and even closer to the beaches of Jumeirah. A busy residential and commercial district in Dubai, Jumeirah Garden City has recently been converted to freehold and is a popular spot for property investment. ALAIA Developments is founded by its CEO Saad Hussain, who said his company's move to real estate development was a result of the business environment in the country. 'The UAE offers unmatched opportunities for real estate investment, driven by its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and a stable economy. ALAIA Developments plans to leverage this potential to deliver properties for residents and investors that enhance modern living,' said Hussain. 'Much of this success can be attributed to the visionary leadership of the UAE, which has consistently fostered a business-friendly and investor-centric environment. Landmark initiatives such as the Golden Visa, Retirement Programmes, and the expansion of freehold ownership areas have made the UAE an even more attractive destination for investors. 'ALAIA has more projects in the pipeline, expanding its portfolio in the UAE as well as the region, and growing its footprint.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chelsea Gardens residents protest water shutoffs and alleged eviction tactics
The Brief Residents of Chelsea Gardens protested against water shutoffs and alleged efforts by the city and property owner to force them out, citing issues like rodents and safety hazards. The protest follows months of tension, including abrupt lease cancellations and a city condemnation, with water shutoffs being longer and less predictable than announced. Organizers demand action from the City Council, criticizing its neglect, while the city claims to assist tenants in relocating, amid broader issues of affordable housing and tenant rights in metro Atlanta. COLLEGE PARK, a. - Dozens of residents of the Chelsea Gardens apartment complex in College Park protested Tuesday evening over water shutoffs and what they say is a coordinated attempt by the city and property owner to force them out of their homes. SEE ALSO: College Park's mayor: Botched apartment closing led to 'unnecessary chaos and fear' What we know Demonstrators gathered along Godby Road to demand an end to what they described as "criminal negligence" from both city officials and the building's management. They say the ongoing issues — including rodents, safety hazards, and now irregular access to water — are part of a larger effort to push tenants out before the city-imposed deadline at the end of June. The protest comes after months of escalating tensions. 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 through June. Tenants say those efforts have done little to ease the pressure. On May 14, residents received notice that water would be shut off daily from May 19 through May 23 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. But protesters claim the shutoffs have been longer and less predictable than scheduled. What they're saying "The water is cut off currently and will be cut off for extended periods through Thursday," said Elias Nail-DuPree, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. "Tenants have not been able to predict when they're going to have water." Nail-DuPree said private security guards even blocked organizers from delivering bottled water to residents, forcing them to distribute it from an abandoned lot nearby. "Tenants have been living in slum-like conditions while continuing to pay rent and are now being faced with being torn from their homes in 10 days," Nail-DuPree said. "The only reason that we got that initial 30-day extension to the evictions was because tenants organized." "We call upon the City Council to end its empty promise campaign and willful silence and neglect of its own constituents," said Bezaleel Jupiter, one of the protest organizers. The other side A city spokesperson said College Park is assisting displaced tenants in relocating to apartment complexes in DeKalb County. Despite the city's efforts, residents and organizers say more needs to be done to restore basic living conditions and stop the evictions. The Chelsea Gardens protest highlights ongoing struggles in metro Atlanta over affordable housing, tenant rights, and accountability for property owners. 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 FOX 5 spoke with Elias Nail-DuPree, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation and tenant for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.
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.
