Longwood apartment building tenants struggle with broken elevator
Tenants at an apartment building on Intervale Avenue in Longwood have been struggling since July 7 with a broken elevator that has left many stranded on higher floors.
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Update: The elevator has since been fixed as of July 27.
Tenants at an apartment building on Intervale Avenue in Longwood have been struggling since July 7 with a broken elevator that has left many stranded on higher floors.
Fatima Ameen, who lives on the seventh floor with her 25-year-old daughter Nyree, has been particularly affected. Nyree suffers from frequent seizures and uses a wheelchair.
"This is our only access in and out of the building for her to be able to do shopping, laundry, her appointments, her physicals," Ameen said. "I can't get her up and down the stairs with this wheelchair. It's getting too much, it's frustrating, and it's weighing on my heart, my body, my head. It's too heavy now."
Several tenants have contacted building management and the city's 311 line for help.
"We pay our rent. It's supposed to be a brand new Wavecrest Building. Treat us respectfully, tell us what's going on," said Chnita Norwood, who lives on the ninth floor.
The broken elevator has also caused quality-of-life issues around the apartment building, as those on higher floors are not easily accessible without a working elevator.
"There's no ventilation inside that hallway…there are no windows in the staircase. It's very hot when the garbage piles up. It gets very stinky," Norwood said.
Wavecrest Management, which operates the building, has responded by stationing a runner in the lobby to assist residents and installing a Stryker chair to help those who need additional assistance.
A part needed to repair the elevator is expected to arrive Thursday, and management anticipates the elevator will be working by Friday.
