Residents say both of the building’s elevators have been out of service for a week, trapping more than a dozen people who use mobility devices. The nonprofit that owns the building has warned that they will likely have to wait another week for it to be fixed. “It leaves me homeless, pretty much,” Smallwood said, waiting on the sidewalk outside while her mom went up the stairs to get food and other supplies. The couple had just returned from vacation, and Smallwood said that while they were gone her brother was trying to find answers about how to get into the apartment when he got back. That’s when the firefighters were first suggested by the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), which manages the building, he said. “The possibility of my wheelchair falling … or myself going up the stairs, that’s not a reasonable option,” Smallwood said. CCOC said no staff members were available for an interview Friday and did not directly respond to questions emailed to CBC, but shared the latest update on tenants. A notice warns tenants of 145 Clarence Street that both elevators in the building are out of order. (Francis Ferland/CBC)
Building owner says component failure was ‘unusual’
It points to a “component failure” affecting both elevators, noting that the cars are “maintained regularly” and calling the failure “very unusual.” The update goes on to add that the damaged item can only be obtained through a specific vendor. “Although we are putting a lot of pressure on the supplier, the part is unlikely to be here until next week,” he says, adding that the company making the part understands the urgency of the situation. But Smallwood said the double lift outage is just the latest of many where at least one of the lifts is out of service for hours at a time. He called the problem “very preventable” and called for the problem-prone elevators to be replaced. Gerry Ward said the broken elevator at 145 Clarence St. has left him stuck in his apartment and relying on a friend to bring him food. (Francis Ferland/CBC)
Previous problems have left the tenant stranded for hours
While Smallwood is stuck outside the building, Gerry Ward is trapped inside. “For me personally, it drives me crazy,” he said. Summer days are precious because he’s largely stuck indoors during the winter, he said. “I just don’t want to see a snowflake when [the elevator] projects.” With no way to get down, Ward is unable to explore the city and had to turn to a friend who lives in another building to get him food. He agrees with Smallwood that the elevators were “an accident waiting to happen” and described situations where people who live at 145 Clarence and use wheelchairs are forced to sleep sitting up in the lobby. “A lot of times I’ve been stuck down there for, I don’t know, hours,” Ward said. “The last time the engine went out like that it took eight months. So in the back of my head, I just don’t know if I can trust them.” Gerry Ward says he’s largely stuck in his apartment during the winter, making the summer months a crucial time to explore and enjoy the city. (Francis Ferland/CBC) CCOC’s website says it is a nonprofit housing organization that works to create and maintain housing for low- and moderate-income people. The update says it maintains a list of those who need help and that staff have contacted them. The CCOC also cites a partnership with VHA Home HealthCare that offers 24/7 support that supports “a significant number of tenants who have mobility issues.” Smallwood said she will be staying at her mom’s apartment for the week, which will require the bedroom and bathroom doors to be removed so her wheelchair can fit. While she is grateful for a place to stay, she does not have an accessible shower. “It really makes people feel a lot more vulnerable in a situation where they shouldn’t be, that’s in their own homes,” he said.
