Dozens of service requests for ice removal in Richmond go incomplete, residents frustrated with landlords
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Sidewalks, parking lots and alleys across the region are still coated in thick layers of slick ice. And residents have contacted 8News feeling frustrated with landlords and property owners not doing enough to clear it.
"They might’ve came out, but they ain’t came to my house," said Alexander Brown, resident of Ashton Square Apartments, about management at his complex.
He's lived there for seven years. But for the first time on Wednesday, his car got stuck in the ice in the middle of the parking lot as he was trying to go to the store.
"They didn’t come and clear nothing," he said about the sidewalks too, which he took the liberty of clearing with his shovel.
He said some salt was put down before the snow fell, but not enough for what’s now frozen.
Another resident who's lived at the complex for two years, and wishes to leave his identity unknown, said this situation is unique to how management has previously responded.
"In the past here they’ve always cleared the sidewalks," he said.
He said because of the parking lot’s condition, he hasn’t been able to get an Uber for medical appointments, get groceries or have medication delivered.
"I’m almost out of one I have to daily," he said. "If I stop taking it, it’ll stop working.”
After trying to communicate with management, he reached out to Governor Abigail Spanberger, Richmond City Council and Mayor Danny Avula's office.
Apartment management told 8News that they’re doing the best they can but didn’t give an answer about when the ice would be treated.
According to city code, property owners or landlords must clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within six hours of snow stopping.
Dozens of service requests have been filed on RVA311 for ice since Sunday, Jan. 25. All have been “assigned” but none have been completed as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
We asked the city when the service requests will be taken care of, including other ice removal questions. They did not directly answer the question regarding RVA311 service requests.
