The company that owns The Reef Student Living in Estero has responded by email to Fox 4's inquiries about a problem mold growing in a number of units at the apartment complex.
"This situation is not something we are taking lightly," wrote Mark Evans, a public relations representative on behalf of Asset Plus, the Houston-based company that owns the Reef.
"As soon as we were made aware of the situation, the property's maintenance team checked out the affected units," Evans wrote. "Qualified personnel have been onsite since Monday morning in an effort to address these issues."
Gabriella Pullano said management had a company install a dehumidifier in her apartment this week, but thinks more needs to be done. Pullano is one of several Reef residents who have shown Fox 4 pictures of mold that they said was growing underneath desk and dresser drawers, and on their shoes.
"In my personal opinion, I think that it's very serious," she said. "We're surrounded by it, we're inhaling it."
In his email, Evans also wrote: "We are working with affected residents to provide them with alternative accommodations until they can return to their units."
Pullano said Thursday that the Reef did offer her and her roommates a hotel room, but they were deciding whether or not to accept it. She said that she was also told that an architect and engineer were supposed to be visiting the Reef on Thursday to try to figure out why the mold is growing there. Fox 4 will continue to follow up, and will provide updates on this developing story.
