Raw sewage turns Concourse Village apartment building into toxic swamp

The stench of raw sewage greets neighbors and visitors long before they reach 1142 College Ave. in Concourse Village.

Kelly Kennedy

Jun 12, 2025, 2:13 AM

Updated yesterday

Share:

People living at the Concourse Village apartment building in the Bronx say their backyard has become a toxic swamp.
"The wind, once it carries the smell everywhere it just makes it uncomfortable to really enjoy what you're doing throughout the day,” said neighbor Israel Martinez.
The stench of raw sewage greets neighbors and visitors long before they reach 1142 College Ave. in Concourse Village.
Robert Centeno said he can't even open his windows without catching a whiff.
"If you stand back there too long, you get dizzy, sick,” Centeno explained.
Behind 1142 College Ave. is where people will find the disgusting site. Neighbors told News 12 they've been living next to the raw sewage water for more than a year, and not only is it an eyesore it's also a serious health risk and it smells awful.
Neighbors said the family who lived in a basement apartment moved out because they couldn't even get inside their home without trudging through the waste.
"That's why they put all the bricks to get in,” said Geraldo Roberto Martinez
According to city records two complaints have been made in the past month. The most recent one was referred to the New York City Department of Health.
Centeno said News 12 was his last hope.
"I figured if we called Channel 12, we could get something done because you guys are from the Bronx,” Centeno said.
Residents say they've reported the issue multiple times with no success.
News 12 called the Genesis Realty Group who was listed as the property manager and were told they're looking into the issue.
The city's Department of Buildings says it referred the complaint to the Department of Health for investigation.
News 12 reached out to the city Department of Health, as well as the property manager, but has not heard back.