By
Rachael Myer
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Apartments are livable, resident says
A Christopher City resident is sure that his apartment is not a health threat - and he's holding an open house to prove it.
Jake Elkins, a Christopher City resident, will hold the open house in his apartment, 25-H, at the complex, 3401 N. Columbus, in an attempt to prove that the complex doesn't need to be closed.
"I will take on every rationale they have to close Christopher City," said Elkins, a University of Arizona urban planning graduate student.
The UA announced its decision to close the complex in May after toxic mold was found in some apartments. Officials also cited poor infrastructure as another reason for the closure.
The university plans to tear down the complex after the Aug. 31, the deadline for residents to move out. The UA plans to build a new graduate family village on the existing site, although construction plans have not been set.
Elkins said he will live in a tent in a nearby wash after the closure, in order to protest the university's decision.
Apartments in the new graduate complex will be smaller than the existing units, and the UA intends to sell the remaining space, said Sharon Kha, university spokeswoman.
Elkins said the apartments are in fair condition - in fact, he said he has never seen a cockroach during the two years he has lived at the complex. He doesn't think the apartments have leaks or other terminal problems.
"Profit before people - that's the UA's motive," he said.
Elkins has challenged UA President Peter Likins to a debate but said he doesn't expect Likins to accept it. He admitted he hasn't asked Likins yet for the debate.
