Gula Miller apartments in Chataignier to be sold

In a letter to Chataignier Mayor Jackie Thomas, HUD stated the foreclosure process for the Gula Miller apartment complex will result in the federal agency posting on its web site request for bids for purchasing the facility sometime this month.
Mayor Thomas read the letter during the monthly meeting of the Chataignier Village Council Monday, February 17. Alderman Gail McDavid said the property has not been listed on the HUD web site yet. But Wilbur Rozas, town clerk, said bids can be made at this time.
The mayor also announced that officials with the Louisiana Rural Water Association would be inspecting the Prairieview Apartments on Vine Street, where tenants of some of the units have reported sewage back-ups during heavy rains. Specialists from the association, which provides technical assistance, among other services, were expected to be in Chataignier last Tuesday morning.
The back-ups have been reported on one side of the apartment complex despite work on the sewer system at the apartments funded with grants.
The village’s sewer maintenance manager, Hurley Mose, said the problem could be due to improper drain line connections, or damage to drainage pipes due to tree roots.
There were no reports of sewage back-ups until two or three years ago. During village council meetings after heavy rainfall in early 2012, a tenant said he had to find lodging somewhere else for his son because of the problem. He also said he had to keep buying towels to clean up the floor.
Mayor Thomas also announced she has begun discussions with a developer to construct single family homes for purchase by people with low incomes in Chataignier.
The council voted to change the locks on the doors of the community affairs room, in the same building as the post office, and require renters to leave a deposit with the town clerk. The deposit will be returned after the facility is checked to ensure it is cleaned.