SWEETWATER, Fla. – Demolition has begun at the Li’l Abner mobile home community in Sweetwater.
Hundreds of families have been forced to move out, and the new construction leading to danger for those remaining in their homes while a court case over their relatively sudden evictions plays out.
“All the dust and everything comes to us and we’re going to get sick,” said 18-year resident Roberto Guido. “I don’t know why they can’t just wait.”
With the last evictions at the sprawling Sweetwater property due in mid-May, residents have been pleading with the city and county to hold developers accountable for a lack of security, for vandals and vagrants, some of whom may have started the fire that burned a unit on Sunday.
That unit, too, was suddenly demolished Thursday morning.
The protests have stopped some demolitions as crews were working without permits or prior checks for asbestos.
The sudden demos also have animal rescue volunteers out looking to rescue what they believe are hundreds of cats living around and under mobile homes.
“Miami animal services was told they were going to be lifting them up and they would be safe but that is not what’s happening,” said volunteer Lizette Nunez. “They literally have a bulldozer.”
In a statement, Urban Group President Matt Rosenbaum said, “We are committed to the continued safety of our community and began permitted demolition of vacated mobile homes today following the protocol required by the County. Demolition and clean up will continue until the park is clear.”
