Pictures of the Brookside ApartmentsDECATUR, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Ann Cowherd won't let her 5-year-old daughter Jayden play outside her own home. The derelict apartment complex next door is too big a hazard.
"It's a danger, a grave danger," Cowherd said.
The Brookside Apartments have sat vacant and broken down on North Decatur road near Interstate-285 for years.
The former owner abandoned the 7-acre property years ago. Weeds as tall as trees, rotting wood and garbage now dominate the sagging wreck.
"It's pretty bad," said Willis Thompson, a homeowner. "It could be a major problem."
Homeowners at the Pavilion Homes of Decatur want the dilapidated complex torn down. DeKalb County says it will demolish it in the next several weeks.
The abandoned complex is an abomination. Old furniture, fallen plaster, broken glass litter the floor. People who live nearby are glad to see it go because their children can wander in and hurt themselves.
Thompson fears his 5-year-old daughter could wriggle through this fence.
"She's pretty much skinny enough to get over there and it could be a major hazard," Thompson said.
Parents will not have to worry about that much longer. The county says it will put a new park in its place.
Cowherd said that's just what the community needs.
"Yes!" Cowherd cheered. "Parks in the neighborhood for the kids, that's wonderful!"
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