Residents of Cooper Apartments Demand Immediate Answers
A month has passed since a six-alarm fire damaged parts of the Cooper Apartments complex in Fort Worth, Texas. However, residents living in an undamaged building are still waiting for clarity on when they can return to their homes. This lack of communication from the management has left many frustrated and confused.
Frustrations Mount as Communication Lags
Residents have expressed their frustration over the absence of clear information regarding re-entry. Despite the fire department having cleared the building, management has not provided a timeline or any detailed plan for allowing residents back into their units.
Lauren Garcia, a resident who lives in a unit that was not affected by the fire, is one of many who feel locked out of her home. “My unit was unaffected. No fire, no water damage. I don’t understand why I’m not able to enter,” she said. “They are locking me out of my home.”
Garcia described the emotional toll of being in limbo, which has led to significant personal and financial losses. “I lost my job as a result of this, financial loss all around,” she said. “I’m furious, angry, heartbroken, some days I want to scream and cry.”
Residents Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
Frustrated with the lack of communication, some residents decided to take matters into their own hands. They bypassed security and began dropping their belongings from their balconies, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current situation.
The fire damaged 24 out of 390 units at the Cooper Apartments. The Fort Worth Fire Department returned control of the building to the owner shortly after the fire, indicating that it was not at risk of collapsing. However, this has not reassured the residents.
Concerns Over Financial and Emotional Impact
Resident Antonio Busby shared his concerns about the lack of support from both the management and local authorities. “We are not getting any correspondence other than we’ll let you know when we know, that is unacceptable,” he said.
When asked about the situation, the Fort Worth mayor’s office only provided information about assistance offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. For many residents, this offer is not enough.
Busby expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s almost like if you take the loan worse situation. I already have a bed, couch, tables, utensils, pots and pans and don’t want a loan to double up. If they let me back in now, I have two sets. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Management Offers a Plan, but Residents Are Unimpressed
In response to the growing concerns, the Cooper Apartments management team released a statement to FOX 4, saying, “We are pleased to share that, after considerable effort, we can now begin reaching out to each resident individually to discuss next steps. That process will begin on Monday, but given the sheer size of our community, it will take some time to complete.”
However, residents feel that this response is too late. “It is too little too late,” they said, emphasizing the need for immediate action and transparency.
Looking Ahead
As the situation continues to unfold, residents are calling for more direct communication and clearer timelines. They are hoping that the management will take swift and meaningful steps to address their concerns and provide them with the support they need during this difficult time.
