SAN DIEGO — CBS 8 is Working for You, following-up on sewage flow at a low-income apartment complex in Lincoln Park.
The Sea Breeze Gardens apartments are under new ownership and undergoing a $150 million renovation. The San Diego Housing Commission and taxpayer money support the project.
Tenants alerted CBS 8 last week about sewage flowing from drains and into a bathtub at the complex of 268 apartments on Logan Avenue. “It backed up. I had to clean it. And that’s not the only time I had to clean it. It's been more than eight times since I've been here,” said resident Murrel Vailes.
CBS 8 aired two reports last week on the sewage flow. We returned to the apartments on Thursday. A manager showed up and security kicked our reporter off the property.
Off site, Vailes said crews did snow up after the CBS 8 report aired last week and they snaked the sewage drains. Currently, the sewage flow has stopped. “The problem is, they come and snake it out and act like it ain't gonna come back. Man, I've been here for years. I got pictures,” said Vailes.
The Sea Breeze Apartments are low-income housing undergoing $150 million renovation supported by the San Diego Housing Commission.
Last year, the Commission voted to support the acquisition and renovation of Sea Breeze Gardens by Lincoln Avenue Communities, based in Santa Monica.
“Upon learning of the limited sewage backup on Oct. 9, we immediately dispatched a plumber to the property. The issue was resolved that day, and there have been no reports of additional backups since,” a Lincoln Avenue spokesperson emailed.
The San Diego Housing Commission emailed CBS 8 the following statement:
“The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) immediately followed up with the developer rehabilitating Sea Breeze Gardens Apartments upon learning of the sewage line issues at one of the 36 buildings at the property. The developer has informed SDHC that it engaged plumbers, who cleared the affected sewage line, and that it is prioritizing renovations to the affected building during its ongoing rehabilitation of the property. SDHC will continue to follow up with the developer about the status of the property; however, SDHC does not have the authority to require actions by the developer or enforce City codes. SDHC does not have an ownership interest in the property and did not award any loan funds to finance the rehabilitation. SDHC authorized the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds toward the rehabilitation, with approval from the San Diego City Council in its role as the Housing Authority. Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds do not create any financial liability for SDHC, the City of San Diego, or the Housing Authority. Private sources of funds, such as revenue from the development, are used to repay the bonds.”
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.