HOUSTON—The City of Houston planned to meet with a group of northwest Houston stakeholders Monday about the future of several apartment buildings and condominium complexes known for their blight and decline.
The meeting’s focus was on Candlelight Trails, Candlewood Glen, Gables of Inwood and Oakbrook apartments on De Soto Street. Except for Candlewood Glen, all of the properties have been abandoned.
The meeting at Houston City Hall was the latest in a series of get-togethers this summer to discuss the future of the properties.
"If you’re going to renew it, you [have] to clean out the old stuff in order for new construction and new development to occur," said Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston.
City Attorney David Feldman said he hoped the city would get authorized to demolish the properties.
"It’s a complicated situation from a logistical standpoint," he said. "But it can be done. You just have to keep moving forward."
Last week, the city turned off the water at Candlewood Glen, but turned it back on after being criticized for the move.
"If they can get a demolition derby to come through here today and knock it all down, then they need to do so," said Vanessa Smith, a Candlewood Glen resident.
Next month, a judged is expected to decide whether to give the city the green light to tear down Candlelight Trails.
