Elevator service restored at central Hamilton highrise

Elevator service at a central Hamilton highrise was restored over the weekend after being out of commission for days.

One of the elevators was successfully brought back in to service on Saturday," said Rahim Ladha, spokesperson for property management company BentallGreenOak, in an email Monday morning.

Residents of 90 Duke St., a 22-floor building in the Durand neighbourhood, reported being trapped" in their apartments or forced to take the stairs since late Sunday or early Monday of last week.

Nan Smith, who is 69 and has a heart condition, told The Spec on Friday that she ventured out once on Wednesday, but struggled to climb the stairs to return to her eighth-floor apartment. She worried what might happen in an emergency.

The issue was reported to the city on Thursday afternoon, prompting a bylaw inspection. The city confirmed Monday one elevator is now working.

Any occupants with mobility/health issues are now able to access all building levels without barrier," said Monica Ciriello, director of licensing and bylaw services, in an email.

As of Monday morning, a second elevator remains out of order.

Our teams and service-providers are working tirelessly to bring the second elevator online as quickly as possible," Ladha said.

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