RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Residents at the former Midlothian Village Apartments in Richmond's southside say trash has been piling up for weeks, causing unsanitary conditions, rodent infestations and other issues.
A representative from the new property owners, Community Preservation Partners based in California, said there was a mix-up with a payment invoice to the trash removal company, which caused the delay.
Community Preservation Partners Representative Seth Gellis said that staff would work to set up an emergency trash pickup, which took place at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
In an email Gellis wrote:
"Nobody likes living like this. We're humans, but we're not treated like humans," said one mother at the complex, who asked not to be identified. "It's just nasty. It stinks. We have kids. The kids can't really come out because there is garbage flying everywhere."
Another woman brought out a bucket filled with six dead rats, a problem she says has been exacerbated by the trash.
Multiple neighbors say they contacted management when they first noticed the problem, yet nothing was done.
"I talked to them when I first started to noticed the trash building up, and that was two weeks ago," continued Best.
"I called management... Nobody's doing anything," said the mother.
Community Preservation Partners says major renovations are set to start in July and be completed by August of 2019. They say critical issues are already being addressed, including security upgrades and wi-fi installation.
Residents at the Section 8 housing complex have complained for years of dilapidated conditions. Neighbors say the change in management had sparked hope.
There is still some trash left on the property that needs to be removed. An employee for the garbage company said the garbage needs to be put in the bin, so it can then be loaded into the truck.
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