Asbestos Cleanup Ordered In 5 Buildings At Troubled Complex

INDIANAPOLIS -- Five buildings at a northeast-side apartment complex will be cleaned for asbestos, one of dozens of health code violations found at the troubled Timber Ridge Apartments, officials said.

A judge said Tuesday he wanted to see substantial progress with the asbestos cleanup within three weeks, Call 6's Rafael Sanchez reported.

It comes after the Marion County Health Department tested and then retested the complex for the cancer-causing substance. Original tests showed asbestos in nine buildings. Health officials will monitor the removal process.

"The end game is that within three weeks that these five buildings that have been identified to have asbestos in them also have occupants living in these buildings will be cleaned up and that's why it's critical this be done," said health department spokesman John Althardt.

This is not the first time asbestos has been found at the complex. In 2007, a private company was paid more than $60,000 to clean up the hazardous material, Sanchez reported.

A representative for the apartment complex said in a statement Tuesday that the materials containing asbestos, "did not present any health risk in their current state.

"Today’s action underscores that real progress is being made to address these concerns," wrote spokesman Nick Manetto. "We look forward to working with [Health and Hospital Corporation] and other officials moving forward.”

Timber Ridge has a well-documented history of health code violations, according to health department records, including more than 70 violations filed in environmental court.

That number does not include violations resulting from the most recent inspection on July 21, when health officials were allowed -- for the first time -- to go inside vacant units, where they found rooms full of trash and human waste. Many ceilings were caving in, windows were broken out and there were signs of animal and criminal activity, officials said.

An attorney for the company that owns Timber Ridge -- W.K. Holdings -- told 6News last month that substantial progress was being made at the complex, and that the company was working with the city and with residents to address concerns.

The court will take up the issue of the other violations at a future date.