JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Westside apartment complex is still dealing with trash issues and now the city is getting involved.
Residents at the West Creek Apartment on 103rd Street said they haven’t had their trash picked up in months, causing people to set it on fire.
Derek Ulanow and other West Creek residents said the trash is one of the many issues their experiencing.
He and his dad have lived at the complex for a year and said they have had issues since moving in.
“When we first got here, we got a short video and an email showing us the apartment we were moving into, but they did not show the laundry room intentionally, and when we moved in, saw the laundry room, the floor was completely caved in,” said Ulanow. “You could smell mold wafting right through. And it’s just it’s been one thing after another.”
Councilman Rahman Johnson visited the property after watching our story about the trash not being picked up.
“This is repugnant,” Johnson said. “I mean, this is ridiculous. When you see and smell and think that people, kids, who are living here have to live in squalor, come to this, to come home. This is unacceptable.”
He said he‘s called and emailed the property owner but has not heard back.
“We’re working to get in contact with the owners of this apartment complex,” said Johnson. “I want to work with them. I don’t want to put liens on the property or stop people. Everybody needs a place to live. We know that this is an affordable place for many people. Some of these folks can’t afford to go anywhere else, but we don’t have to let them live in squalor.”
The city of Jacksonville came and picked up the trash around the dumpsters.
Johnson said code enforcement was called and is expected to visit the complex on Wednesday.