You Ask, We Investigate: Update On Eastside Rundown Houses

Tools

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Dan Garcia

Story Created: Jun 12, 2008 at 6:00 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM CST

Since Manuel Villagomez moved into this neighborhood about four years ago, he's been trying to get the city to cleanup or demolish two vacant homes next to him.

"There are many dangers. It's a situation where it smells bad. I have small children and I'm afraid they'll get out, something's going to happen. There's going to be an accident," says Villagomez

And now that it has gotten hot, the smell is making living here even more unbearable. Villagomez says he has gone to the city several times to try and get some relief.

"I have called the city, and talked with code enforcement and the city manager about this junk that's here. And they just tell me they will take care of it, they will fix it, they will clean it up, but they haven't done anything yet," says Villagomez.

This East Side neighborhood is next to the river. And because of the floods last summer, that is apparently what is causing the hold up.

And indeed that is a huge part of the problem. After the floods F.E.M.A. came in and is handling the aftermath of that disaster. As a result, the City of Wichita Falls cannot demolish homes in the flood plain. That's where these homes are.

Bobby Teague with the city says H.U.D. funds cannot be used either, to demolish homes. Teague says the city is awaiting word from F.E.M.A. on a grant that will fund this and many other similar projects.

If you've got a problem give us a call, the number is 687-U-ASK. The number again 687-8275.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

KAUZ News Channel 6 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

More Good Stuff

Weather

Icon
Current Temp : 46.0 °
Fog/Mist
More Weather
High: Saturday -64
Low: Tonight - 42
Conditions Today
Mostly cloudy tonight. Increasing sunshine over the weekend.

KAUZ Poll Question

Would you vote for or against a same-sex couple for homecoming court?

  • For
  • Against

AP Video

Stock Quotes
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On KAUZ

7.00
ghost whisperer
9.00
numb3rs