Broken elevator leaves Morrisania tenants trapped for months
The Department of Buildings tells News 12 the building was issued two violations in December for failing to maintain the elevator.
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Tenants in a Morrisania apartment building say they've been living without a working elevator for nearly seven months, leaving some elderly and disabled residents effectively stuck inside their homes.
Cynthia Burrell, who uses a seated scooter and has a heart condition, says climbing the stairs to her fourth-floor apartment feels like "running a marathon."
"It breaks my heart for us to even have to endure all this pain," Burrell said. "I am trapped in my house. I want to go outside… I haven't been in the supermarket for seven freaking months."
She says she especially wants to be outside now that it's springtime, but can't face the physical toll it takes to climb the stairs.
Her neighbor, Belky Garcia, says she hasn't been able to carry laundry down the stairs since before September. News 12 captured a massive pile of laundry by her door.
The Department of Buildings tells News 12 the building was issued two violations in December for failing to maintain the elevator. Records show the property owner also owes more than $40,000 in violations and penalties.
Wavecrest Management, which operates the building, says they have a quote from the elevator company for the repairs, but they're waiting for building management to pay for it.
News 12 reached out to Exact Capital, the property owner. They said they were just learning of this and are working with management to address it. They added their goal is to make residents happy.
