INDIANAPOLIS– The Marion County Health Department has issued a violation notice to an Indianapolis landlord after residents complained their only elevator has been broken for several weeks.
Tenants at the Commodore Apartments, located at 30th and N Pennsylvania St, are having a hard time getting groceries up and down the stairs.
Anthony Foreman is in good shape for a 78-year-old, but walking up to his 3rd floor apartment is taking its toll.
“I’m tired,” said Foreman. “My legs are sore, my feet are sore, my arms are sore. Walking up and down those steps is hard on me.”
Foreman said many of the tenants are senior citizens.
“Alot of the neighbors, they can’t walk,” said Foreman. “They can’t get downstairs, can’t come up stairs, so that’s very important.”
Indiana’s I-Team talked with one renter off-camera who has not left his apartment since the elevators went down several weeks ago.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Foreman.
The Marion County Public Health Department received a complaint on October 13 and an inspector responded the same day and confirmed the reported violation.
The health department issued an emergency notice of violation on October 13.
When inspectors came back the next day, October 14, for a re-inspection the elevator was still not fixed.
The health department is now taking the case to court, and a hearing is scheduled for December 3.
“We need it quicker than that,” said Foreman. “It’s ridiculous. People can’t hardly get up and down, can’t go to the grocery, can’t go to the laundry mat. So it’s you know it’s it’s ridiculous.”
Indiana’s I-Team contacted the property owner for Commodore Apartments, which is listed as “Fall Creek Village I” at 3515 N. Pennsylvania Street.
On October 22, we received an emailed response.
“We are working as quickly as possible with our elevator contractor and utility providers to safely restore the elevator to service,” said Joe Walsh, Property Manager, Fall Creek Village I Apartments. “The failed components had to be shipped out of state for factory repair,
which is the cause of the delay. In the meantime, we have notified residents that staff are onsite and on call to assist with groceries, trash removal, and getting in and out of the building.”
A sign posted near the elevator said it’s unclear when the elevator will be fixed.
“We understand how difficult this is for our residents; if a faster way to safely restore service existed, we would have taken it,” said Walsh in an email to Indiana’s I-Team. “We will continue to update residents on the status and expected timeline.”
On October 27, the elevator was still not working so Indiana’s I-Team stopped by the property management office to see if we could get an update.
However, the door was locked during office hours.
“There doesn’t appear to be anybody in right now,” said Kara Kenney with Indiana’s I-Team on October 27.
Residents with mobility or medical issues that prevent them from safely using the stairs can also call non-emergency dispatch at 317-327-3811 for assistance with getting up and down the stairs while the elevators are out.
Tenants said this is a repeat problem.
“The elevator broke down before, so it’s not the first time,” said Foreman.
Indiana’s I-Team checked with the health department, and they have not issued any other violations at the property in the last five years.
“They need to get the elevator fixed because you know, it’s very important,” said Foreman.
In Indiana, landlords are responsible for keeping systems in working condition including elevators, heating and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing.
