Speaking through a translator, Marla Carrillo said, “We feel that we’ve been robbed.” Carrillo is one of hundreds of people in Plainfield who have had to find a new place to live after their apartment buildings were recently condemned. Carrillo has waited more than two months to move back into her apartment at 715 Arlington Avenue, an apartment building that has been off-limits to residents since June. The building was condemned in June and residents got 24 hours to leave. Carrillo and other residents say they haven’t been given accommodation or updates on when they can move back home.
Florencio Zitlalpopoca, another resident in the building, speaking through a translator, said even though he didn’t notice major problems in his apartment, he was forced out. He said he was given a five-day hotel voucher and nothing else.
“There just needs to be a better plan in place, and that’s what’s not happening. And the narrative and the story that they’re putting out is everybody that needs assistance has received it, that when you come out here and you speak directly to the people, we realize that that is not the case,” said Councilman Richard Wyatt.
The apartment at 715 Arlington Avenue is owned by Cyclone West 84 LLC, a company that owns at least two other condemned buildings in the city of Plainfield. Cyclone West 84 LLC and the Plainfield mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
