Demanding Answers, Getting Action: Broken Elevator That Left Seniors Trapped In Their Apartments Finally Repaired
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Earlier this month, CBS2 demanded answers after we found out disabled seniors living in Queens were practically trapped inside their apartment building for months because the only elevator was broken.
Now, we're getting action.
The seniors told CBSN New York's John Dias the help has come in the nick of time.
Dozens of seniors had to live 72 days without the elevator, climbing up and down the staircases.
It was bad enough to go through all of this in the beginning of spring. Residents were worried it might continue through the summer.
For more than two months, disabled seniors living at the Grace Houses on 90th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens were forced to take the stairs in their housing development because the only elevator was broken.
There are 80 units across eight floors.
Some of the residents were completely trapped because they use either a wheelchair or a scooter to get around.
In a March notice to tenants, management explained the elevator's braking mechanism had to be repaired. The notice didn't include a specific time as to when the repairs would be complete.
"I was feeling depressed," said resident Stanley Barksdale.
That is, until CBS2 stepped in. After pushing management for days, the elevator was finally fixed, and on Wednesday night, fully functional.
"I am so happy about the elevator because it took a lot of time, " said resident Luther Roofe. "I was trapped in here since the 4th of March."
Tenants credited the success to CBS2 demanding answers, but told Dias it shouldn't have taken alerting the news media to get results.
Nonetheless, they're pleased.
"Man, I wanted to dance. I could do the twist," said resident Leo Wright. "I had to go out because I had to pick up medication, and food and everything. I had no help at all... I already suffer with arthritis in every joint in body, had both hips replaced."
To prevent future breakdowns, the city's Department of Buildings says the elevator still needs "larger modernization of the elevator device, including the installation of a new elevator car."
The residents are happy about the temporary fix, if it means no more stairs.
It's against the law for a building that size not to have an operating elevator. The owner was issued a violation and could face $100,000 in penalties.
