AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There are 10 stories at the Maxwell House, but no matter what floor you’re on, you’ll have to take the stairs since the elevator has been out since July 6th.
“And they still haven’t done nothing, nothing, they ought to be ashamed. I wouldn’t let my dog stay here,” said Michele Huitt, a Maxwell House resident since 2017.
A Maxwell House resident went before commissioners with a long list of complaints and complaints about the lack of city action following inspections.
“They’ve had their 30 days no more time you guys don’t need no more time to do right by the residents of Augusta,” said Yolanda Brooks.
Another issue? There’s no air conditioning in a number of units and pests.
“Rats, I’m scared to death it’s not safe,” said Huitt.
Code enforcement was back with another inspection and the mayor was on-site talking to the management, but worries things won’t change.
“I don’t have a lot of confidence based on their track record and the conditions of these buildings. This problem has lingered on for years,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Commissioners have called a public hearing for the owners of the Bon Air, Richmond Summit and now the Maxwell House on whether to revoke their businesses licenses.
“Public hearings should go forward, should be able to hold this ownership group to the tenet of the law. You can’t have residents living in conditions that are unsafe and unlivable,” said Johnson.
“The city is looking to maybe revoke the business license from the owners would you have somewhere else to go?”
“Most people wouldn’t,” said resident Ronald Williams.
It’s where they live, but its hardly livable.
