Jenny Lind Hall residents face another setback in elevator debacle
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — There has been another major setback for people who live at a Springfield apartment complex for elderly and disabled people, where the elevators have been broken for months.
Over the past few months, residents have told KOLR 10 they feel trapped on the upper floors. Now, the city has taken notice, holding a meeting this afternoon.
Residents at Jenny Lind Hall have been without a working elevator for most of the year. After declaring the complex a nuisance property , City Inspector Parley Kelsch says he's checked on the progress several times in the past year.
"There have been multiple inspections that took place from February 7th, March 11th, April 8th, May 16th, May 17, May 23rd, June 14th, June 18th, July 5th, July 12th, August 20th, and September 9th, all of 2024," said Kelsch.
"It's their prison." Elevators at Springfield complex for elderly, disabled remain broken
According to Craig Lowther — the attorney representing Millennia Housing — they have signed a contract to build a new elevator, but it could take months.
"It's going to take nine to 12 months before they can get there. Nine months is the earliest and 12 months is the latest," said Lowther. "In the meantime, living has made an offer, as was mentioned, to the people who are there. If you want to, we'll put you in an extended-stay hotel so you don't have to worry with the elevator line."
Lowther says the elevators are more than 50 years old and Millennia Housing does not have plans to repair both.
"It's a good start, but I think in order to make a complete, safe apartment complex for everybody, don't you need both elevators," says the city.
City Council calls for federal investigation into elevator fiasco at Jenny Lind Hall
Lowther says that would be ideal in theory, but it takes time.
"We've done everything that can be done. Once a problem was discovered, there was no indication of orientation for going to quit," Lowther said. "Just all of a sudden one day the inspector said it's just fine. Maintenance people said just fine, nothing to worry about. And then one day it didn't work anymore."
According to the hearing officer at the meeting, he will take a look at the evidence and decide in the next 30 days if repairs to both elevators will be mandatory.
