Thorough coverage by Joseph Flaherty in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this morning about a Little Rock City Board discussion yesterday about mounting problems at the Big Country Chateau apartments at Col. Glenn and University.

Water service may soon be shut off. Electric service also is in doubt. There are gas line problems. The apartment owners have been cited to appear in environmental court for code violations. Crime has also been a problem.

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The biggest problem: The plight of tenants. Many can’t afford to move.

Nine tenants have written Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and the City Board. They cite the unsafe conditions. They note that utilities are supposed to be covered in rent, but tenants have learned electric and water bills haven’t been paid. They’d like to move, but lack resources. So they urge the city not to close the apartments without first working “to find and secure resources needed to help us.” Tenants include the elderly, disabled and families and they fear their survival might be jeopardized without shelter in the extreme heat.

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Neal Sealy of Arkansas Renters United, in sending a copy of the letter to city officials, noted the New Jersey owner of the apartments owns other complexes in Little Rock and North Little Rock. He provided a link to an article about complaints against the owner in Little Rock and other places.

Sealy also noted that former Mayor Mark Stodola last year filed as attorney for the owner of the complex in a case in environmental court.

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