ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
More than seven months after Atlanta officials demolished the abandoned Wishing Well Apartments at 2950 Waters Rd., CBS Atlanta News has learned several other similar properties are still standing.
City officials said last November that they would be tearing down 200 other abandoned properties during the next year. The year is half over and nothing has happened.
"The people of this community, the citizens in Southwest Atlanta with a zip code 30311, deserve better than this," State Rep. Ralph Long said.
CBS Atlanta News questioned Atlanta Code Enforcement spokesperson Carlos Campos on Friday, and he said they are moving through the process as quickly as possible.
"What is taking so long?" CBS Atlanta reporter Adam Murphy asked.
"It's a fair question, and I'm sure if I lived next door to one of these properties I would feel the same way, and I'd be asking the same questions." Campos said. "It's a process though. We have to be very careful when we're moving on these properties."
Campos said a demolition order has been issued for the eyesore located at 2020 Allison Ct. According to the city, the abandoned apartments will be torn down by the end of July.
Other properties on the short list include some rundown apartments at 3775 MLK Jr. Dr. and 1545 Joseph E. Boone. Both locations are on the demolition list, and city officials are in the process of securing funding to begin the work. Campos said the work could begin in about a month.
Finally, officials have issued a demolition order for 176 Anderson Ave., and they already have the money secured for the project. Now, city workers are looking to hire a contractor to complete the work.
"There are a lot of legalities involved, and you just can't move in and tear something down because you want to," Campos said.
