A judge said yesterday that he wanted to see “significant progress” within three weeks concerning the cleanup of asbestos at five buildings at Indianapolis’ Timber Ridge Apartments. The order came after officials from the Marion County Health Department identified asbestos contamination in numerous buildings at the complex, which is well-known for its health violations.

Though asbestos was identified in nine buildings, prompted dozens of health code violations, five have been targeted for cleanup because of the occupancy in those particular buildings, says a story aired on News 6 Indianapolis.

“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.

Timber Ridge has had more than 70 violations filed against it in environmental court including another problem with asbestos in 2007. At that time, the owners paid a private company to rid the apartments of the hazardous mineral.

When health officials got their first look inside vacant apartments two weeks ago, they were shocked at what they found. In addition to exposed asbestos, inspectors also found human waste, trash, broken windows, and evidence of criminal activity, the story points out.

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