‘We feel trapped’: Residents of a Hamilton highrise have been without elevator service for days

Residents at a central Hamilton highrise have been without elevator service for days, leaving them stranded in their apartments or forced to take the stairs.

We feel trapped," said Nan Smith, 69, who lives on the eighth floor.

The elevators at 90 Duke St., a 22-floor building in the Durand neighbourhood managed by BentallGreenOak, are out of service" after they were damaged by flooding, the property manager says.

Our maintenance teams have been working diligently to restore the elevators to full operation," Tamara Rampersad, who manages the building, said in an email.

Residents, meanwhile, have reported having to take the stairs to access their units. Some, including in an anonymous Facebook post Thursday and residents who spoke with The Spec, say the elevators have been out of commission since late Sunday or early Monday.

Smith ventured out only once on Wednesday to go for a walk with a friend, grab a bite to eat and pick up some groceries at the convenience store.

I walked up the stairs," she said. It took me quite a while because I had to stop three times coming up the stairs and literally sit on the steps and wait a good five minutes to get my breath."

Smith has a heart condition and a pacemaker, which makes climbing stairs - let alone several flights - a challenge. Once she reached her apartment, she said it took her 20 minutes to recover.

Rampersad said staff are ensuring residents get critical items," like food and medication, performing wellness checks" for seniors and relocating some health-compromised" residents.

The city was informed of the elevator issue Thursday afternoon, spokesperson Michelle Shantz said in an email.

A bylaw officer confirmed parts for the elevators have been ordered and work will commence tomorrow and through the weekend to restore service," spokesperson Lauren Vastano said in an email Friday.

The city says bylaw will follow up on Monday.

Smith said management is doing what they can to help." She has received daily emails from management detailing available supports for residents and a timeline for repairs, and has had packages delivered to her door.

Still, a week without elevators doesn't constitute a safe place to live," she said.

My biggest worry is what if I needed to call an ambulance," she said. How would they get me out of the building? Are they going to carry me down the stairs? That's a real concern for a lot of us."

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com