JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents of a 17-story senior living facility on Jacksonville’s Southside are facing mobility challenges after the building’s elevators stopped working.
After receiving several complaints from residents and families, who said residents of Mount Carmel Gardens were “trapped inside with no way to get out,” News4JAX reached out to the property management company and the city to learn if anything is being done to address the elevator outages.
In a statement, the property management company SPM, Inc. said both elevators have been out of service since Thursday “due to water intrusion that damaged electrical control systems.”
The management team said they have ordered the replacement parts and are working to expedite the process with the manufacturer.
Additionally, the City of Jacksonville shared a statement that read:
“A citizen alerted the City of Jacksonville to this issue, and the Code Enforcement Division sent an officer to investigate. A citation was issued for the elevator not working for more than 24 hours. They continue to monitor to ensure that the property owner completes the necessary maintenance work.”
The management team said it is providing the following resources to help residents during the elevator outage, saying:
- All residents have been personally contacted to assess their immediate needs
- We are providing food delivery, package delivery, and mobility assistance to all residents who need help
- Meals are being delivered to residents
- Safety inspections have confirmed all common areas remain secure
- Emergency protocols are in place for residents requiring urgent assistance
The company’s full response can be read below.
SPM Response:
The Management Team has mobilized all available resources to support our residents during this temporary disruption. Our experienced team always prioritizes resident safety and comfort, and we are committed to transparent communication with residents and city officials throughout the repair process.
We have maintained constant communication with residents through personal phone calls, written notices, and door-to-door check-ins. We understand the challenge this creates for our senior residents and have deployed significant resources to ensure everyone has the support they need during this temporary disruption.
SPM
SPM added that elevator technicians are working around the clock and that it expects product arrival and installation to occur later this week.