City Blamed for Woman's Eroding Backyard
- A woman in Arlington, Texas, is concerned about her backyard erosion, attributing the problem to the city's actions.
- Her neighborhood, located near the Arlington stadiums, faces safety issues due to the erosion.
- The situation raises questions about city responsibility for maintaining safe environments for residents.
ARLINGTON — Latrishia Hamdan, a resident of a neighborhood overshadowed by Arlington's stadiums, is facing a significant erosion issue that has rendered her backyard unsafe for her family and pets. While the city has addressed similar problems for newer residents, Hamdan claims she has been left to fend for herself. The erosion has drastically altered her property, taking away more than 12 feet of land and transforming her once-enjoyable outdoor space into a precarious drop-off. The creek behind Hamdan's home flows into the waterways surrounding Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, raising concerns about the environmental impact of the erosion. Despite the severity of the situation, the City of Arlington maintains that the property is private, placing the responsibility for repairs on homeowners. Hamdan has been quoted as saying that the cost to prevent further erosion could reach around $50,000, a financial burden she feels is unjust. In response to inquiries from the I-Team regarding the unequal treatment of properties on either side of the street, a city spokesperson explained that erosion mitigation projects are prioritized based on threats to public infrastructure or necessary creek modifications for flood control. While the city has constructed retaining walls across the street to combat flooding, Hamdan remains frustrated, feeling that her family's memories and quality of life are at stake. As Hamdan grapples with the loss of her backyard, she expresses a deep sense of loss, stating, "Life as it was is no longer as long as I have this mess."