A year after Tropical Storm Ida flooded the Oakwood Plaza complex in Elizabeth, residents and community leaders say they have more questions than answers and that Mayor Chris Bollwage isn’t doing enough to move things along. Four people died and more than 600 residents were displaced; many still live in temporary housing across the state.
Bollwage said in a statement, “Since Hurricane Ida, the City has housed over 700 people after almost 300 housing units were destroyed. The affordable housing complex Oakwood Plaza, is currently still undergoing renovation. We are hopeful that by October at least one of the refurbished buildings will be re-opened for new residents to move into.” CIS Management, which owns Oakwood Plaza, said the target return for some families is by the end of the year.
