The 234 Apartment

NEW ORLEANS - People living along a certain stretch of Chef Menteur Highway have had to deal with a lot of issues, from substandard living conditions , to deadly shootings in their complex.  But now about a hundred families are facing a new notice that could put many of them out on the street. "You could see they have doors busted wide open ," said resident Charlene Walker . Residents living at 6000 Chef Menteur say they know their apartment complex makes headlines for shootings and crime, but they say it should be known for its maintenance issues.   "We don't have anybody back here doing nothing for us," said Charlene Walker as she showed Eyewitness News her apartment. Walker pointed to mold that had spread in her unit.  And it was just back in April when WWL captured how living conditions were as residents struggled to get repairs.  Trash was everywhere, and in one unit, a ceiling collapsed. MORE: Tenants call for help as apartment complex crumbles aroun...

Less than a week into Cheyenne’s 151st year, the City Council has another chance Monday night to shape its future. What do we want to be? An open, welcoming community that embraces all people, regardless of socioeconomic status, and invites them to live wherever they choose? Or a city that forces people below a certain income level to live primarily in a certain part of town? The right choice should be obvious: Avoid any hint of discrimination and grant final approval to the rezoning application for a proposed low- and middle- income apartment complex in north Cheyenne. In doing so, our elected leaders would reject the specious arguments of a group of residents who live near a planned 72- unit complex east of Converse Avenue and south of Storey Boulevard. These homeowners maintain that allowing the apartments in this location would decrease their property values and somehow keep their neighborhood from “flourishing.” We understand the basic urge to protect what’s rightfully yours –...