CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Residents of Fishpond Living Apartments are forced to take several flights of stairs after the elevator stopped working for weeks. Many of them have to take four to five flights to get to their front door. The majority of the residents of the building at 902 Buford Street are elderly and have disabilities.
“I have to go up the stairs and it just hurts and it’s too hard for me,” said resident Abelia Martinez.
It’s a harsh reality for Martinez as she struggles to get back into her apartment after leaving. She said the elevators haven’t been working for a while, but when they do, it’s short-lived.
“It lasts about six months, it goes on and on and it gets frustrating,” Martinez said.
Martinez has a heart condition and asthma, which makes it difficult for her to get around. She even had to reschedule her doctor’s appointments. Other residents are forced to help each other carry heavy items up the stairs.
“We continue with our daily lives. So sometimes they have to go shopping and that is not possible, it is difficult for them to get up,” says resident David Flores. “As residents, we try to help them as best we can.”
The property manager told KRIS 6 News reporter Alexis Scott that they are working on the elevator issue, but there has been a delay in ordering a specific part.
For now, residents are faced with dealing with the situation until it is resolved.
‘I can’t go out because the elevators aren’t working. And I can’t keep going down with my walker,” Martinez said.
KRIS 6 News has reached out Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to confirm if any complaints have been made from the property regarding the elevator. We’re told they’ve received one complaint and they’re looking into it.
KRIS 6 News also contacted property management, Sandalwood managementbut haven’t heard anything since.
The City of Corpus Christi Code Enforcement visited the property after receiving a complaint on Monday. A code compliance officer issued a notice to property management on Wednesday. They have seven days to make repairs.
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