Chelsea Gardens: A Call for Accountability & Care

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt concern and offer a sincere apology to the residents of Chelsea Gardens for the pain and uncertainty they’ve endured here in our city. Like many of you, I learned about the City’s response to the Chelsea Gardens issue after residents were informed that the property had been condemned and the order to vacate was issued. I was not consulted, briefed, or included in the decision to condemn the property or in crafting the plan for how residents would be supported in the aftermath.

At our last city council meeting, I explicitly requested a report from both the city attorney and the city manager on this situation. I have yet to receive either. What I did see, however, was that the very next day, the condemnation notice was issued without discussion, without transparency, and without a plan that centered on the people most affected.

Since then, we’ve heard public commitments that utilities would remain on during the transition period, but I’ve now received reports that some residents are experiencing interruptions in water service. This is an unacceptable breakdown in process, communication, compassion, and basic decency.

While I understand and share the concerns about the property’s condition, the way this situation has been handled has caused unnecessary chaos, fear, and instability for families who deserve better from us–the elected officials who took an oath to serve them and the city staff entrusted with their care.

I’m deeply concerned that the involvement of city leadership in this sweeping eviction may have accelerated displacement rather than protecting those most affected. It may have also had the unintended consequence of allowing the property owner to bypass the legal eviction process. This is something our authority should never be used to enable. Our responsibility is to safeguard residents, not facilitate their removal.

I do not condone what has taken place here. The people of College Park deserve transparency, compassion, and a government that takes its duty to serve seriously. We must do better. I will continue to push for processes and decisions that reflect the dignity and humanity of the people we represent.

-Mayor Bianca Motley Broom