Bobby Simon spoke exclusively to KHOU 11 News and said one elevator has been down for about a week, and the other hasn’t worked for roughly a year.
HOUSTON — The company that manages a senior living apartment community in southwest Houston is responding to a KHOU 11 report on broken elevators.
Creekbend Gardens Residents, including a former Houston Oilers football player, complained that they’re trapped in their apartments because they’re unable to use the stairs.
Ex-Oiler Bobby Simon told KHOU 11 News that one of the elevators has been out of service for about a week. The other, he said, has been broken for roughly a year.
“I can’t get out my room,” Simon said on Saturday. “I feel trapped.”
It takes a team of EMTs to take Simon up and down three flights of stairs for his three weekly dialysis appointments.
“They’re having to pick me up. I’m 270 pounds. And you see how small those guys are,” Simon said.
Second-floor resident Edna Butler said the broken elevators have made everyday life painful.
“It’s very difficult. I hurt going up. I hurt coming down. I also, when I go up, or come down, I got to use this, because I get out of breath,” Butler said while holding an inhaler.
The management company responded to our report and said they’ve paid over $23,000 to Otis Elevator Company to replace a control panel. Now, they’re waiting for Otis to schedule the installation.
“We understand the urgency of this matter and the impact it has on our residents, particularly those with mobility challenges,” the management company said in a statement. “Our team is in regular contact with Otis and will continue to push for the earliest possible resolution. In the meantime, we are working closely with on-site staff to support residents with accessibility needs.”
On Friday, a letter from apartment management was sent to residents, stating that the elevator company is working on repairs. However, it also noted that the process will take time.
Simon said that the response is not good enough for him.
“Get that elevator fixed and keep it fixed,” he said.