Norfolk mother says asbestos discovery at Pembroke Towers left her family displaced, cut off from their belongings and uncertain when they can return home.
NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk woman who has spent months raising concerns about conditions inside her apartment at Pembroke Towers says she still doesn’t know when she and her children will be able to return home after asbestos-containing material was discovered during flooring work.
Christine Bonavita, who has lived at Pembroke Towers for three years, previously spoke with 13News Now in September about repeated water leaks and damage inside her apartment. Now, she says the discovery of asbestos has added another layer of uncertainty as she waits for answers from property management.
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Bonavita said she first learned about the asbestos on Oct. 4, when contractors told her they were performing asbestos abatement in her apartment. She said management had not notified her in writing about the material.
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“If they had communicated to me that there is asbestos in my apartment, I could have made those plans for my personal property,” Bonavita said. “It’s the not knowing that is the biggest fear for me.”
The property was built in 1965. Pembroke Towers said asbestos-containing material was identified in flooring adhesive in a designated area of the building during a remodeling project. Management said the affected material was professionally removed and the area passed required clearance procedures.
Tenant describes damage inside apartment
Bonavita said a severe leak on Sept. 3 sent hundreds of gallons of condensate water into her apartment. She said the city of Norfolk subsequently identified multiple code violations, with work expected to be completed by Oct. 8.
During a visit to the apartment with city code enforcement officials and a fire marshal on Oct. 9, Bonavita said she saw extensive damage and construction materials inside.
“The floor is completely ripped up. There’s chemicals and products everywhere,” Bonavita said.
She said she and her two children left with their clothing and other essentials and have been staying in temporary accommodations.
“We left with the clothes on our back,” she said.
Bonavita also said she can no longer monitor the inside of her apartment through her home security cameras because contractors unplugged her router. She previously had a Ring camera and security cameras in every room, allowing her to check on her home remotely.
Without that access, she said, she has no way to see the current condition of her belongings.
“To not know the current state of your personal property, is very devastating,” Bonavita said.
As of Oct. 13, Bonavita said she had not received a timeline for when she could return. She said she had contacted management seeking answers but had not received a response.
Pembroke Towers says remediation is complete
In a statement to 13News Now, Pembroke Towers said the asbestos-containing material was found in flooring adhesive during a remodeling project and that it contacted qualified remediation professionals.
Management said the affected material was professionally remediated and the area subsequently passed required clearance procedures. The property also said city officials inspected the unit and confirmed the work had been handled appropriately and completed to their satisfaction.
Pembroke Towers said it would provide professional remediation and clearance documentation on Monday.
Gorilla Contracting, the general contractor for the abatement project, said CM Noble is performing the specialized asbestos abatement work.
Gorilla Contracting said the existing flooring was still in place when its team arrived and that abatement measures were implemented as work proceeded. The company said the work included containment, engineering controls, controlled remediation, final air sampling and written clearance before reoccupancy.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says asbestos-containing materials in good condition and left undisturbed are unlikely to present a health risk. When materials are damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and inhaled.
Bonavita, meanwhile, said her biggest concern is not knowing what is happening inside her home or when she can return.
Tenant says city has been responsive, but management has failed to communicate
Bonavita said the city of Norfolk has been responsive as she has worked with code enforcement and the fire marshal to address conditions in her apartment. She said she believes the greatest failure has been management’s communication with tenants.
“I feel that the failure lies entirely on Pembroke Towers, their failure to timely communicate these issues,” Bonavita said.
She said she is working with Legal Aid and has filed a tenant’s assertion in Norfolk court. Rather than move out, she plans to pursue legal options to enforce her lease.
“Most people tell me just move, and I say, why?” Bonavita said. “Well, I say, I guess that means I have enough to enforce it, and so that’s what I’m doing.”
Her concerns extend beyond her own apartment. Bonavita said she worries about the health and safety of other residents in the 168-unit building and wants them to know how to report maintenance problems and seek assistance.
She also said the experience has become a lesson in perseverance for her two daughters.
Bonavita recalled a conversation with her 12-year-old daughter, who asked whether her mother knew where she had learned perseverance.
“‘My mother,’” Bonavita recalled her daughter telling her.
The comment brought tears to Bonavita’s eyes, she said.
“I continue to fight for a safe home,” she said, adding that she wants to help protect her neighbors, too.
Bonavita said she intends to keep fighting to remain in the home she leases and hold management accountable.
Official Statement Regarding Asbestos Remediation at Pembroke Towers
“Thank you for reaching out and providing us with the opportunity to respond.
The property was originally constructed in 1965. During a remodel project, asbestos-containing material was identified in the flooring adhesive within a designated area of the building. We acted promptly and contacted the appropriate qualified remediation professionals. The affected material was professionally remedied, and the area subsequently underwent and passed the required clearance procedures.
Additionally, Pembroke Towers met with city officials, who inspected the affected unit and confirmed that the remediation had been handled appropriately and completed to their satisfaction. Following their inspection, city officials provided clearance for the unit.
We will provide the professional remediation and clearance documentation on Monday.
We take property maintenance seriously and remain committed to following established professional procedures when addressing building materials requiring specialized handling.”
“Gorilla Contracting is the general contractor for the Pembroke Towers abatement project. CM Noble is performing the specialized asbestos abatement work.
When our team arrived, the existing flooring was still in place. Abatement measures were implemented as the work proceeded.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and left undisturbed are unlikely to present a health risk. The EPA explains that risk can arise when materials are damaged or disturbed, releasing asbestos fibers into the air that can be inhaled.
The contracted work includes containment, engineering controls, controlled remediation, final air sampling, and written clearance before reoccupancy. Gorilla oversaw completion of the work in accordance with applicable requirements, coordinating with property management and CM Noble.”
EPA reference: What are the health risks if I have asbestos in my home, building, apartment or school?