JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Service has been restored to an elevator at a 17-story senior community building after it hadn’t been working for a week. The property manager said repairs are being made to its other elevator.
Mount Carmel Gardens’ management said water intrusion damaged the electrical control systems that operate both elevators and that replacement parts have been rushed from the manufacturer and arrived in stages.
The company said certified elevator technicians were on site around the clock, including weekends and late evenings, working to restore service.
The outage drew new concern after Jacksonville Fire Rescue crews carried a resident down more than a dozen flights of stairs during a medical emergency late Tuesday night, relatives told News4JAX.
Family members and other tenants said the incident highlighted the danger of losing elevator access in a high-rise for elderly and mobility-impaired residents.
“She had to go into the restroom, it sounded like she was tripping or about to fall, grabbed the towel rack and that gave way, and she fell onto the floor,” a tenant said.
Management provided a written statement saying staff have maintained a significant on-site presence during the outage, delivering meals, assisting with packages, conducting wellness checks and helping residents with mobility needs. The statement said emergency protocols remain in place and that the property is coordinating with emergency services as needed.
City code enforcement has also visited the property and issued at least one citation after receiving complaints, a city statement confirmed. Officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation to make sure required maintenance is completed.
Residents and family members told reporters they remain uneasy. One longtime tenant said outages have been recurring and that those who rely on scooters, walkers or frequent medical trips are being hit hardest. “If there is a major fire, how do you get everyone out fast enough?” a resident asked.
The News4JAX I-Team requested additional details from Mount Carmel Gardens on why both elevators failed at once, what inspections or maintenance history exists for the machinery, and whether any residents with significant mobility needs will be temporarily relocated until service is fully restored.
The City of Jacksonville provided News4JAX with the elevator citations and the $390 fine that were issued to the property owner.
- 11:36 am September 26, 2025, Issued warning citation (24hrs) MC63189 Case 2025-9773723 for elevators in disrepair/inoperable.
- 8:56 am September 29, 2025, Issued first paying citation of $130.00 MC27767C Case 2025-9773723 for elevators in disrepair/inoperable.
- 12:35 pm October 1, 2025, 2025, Issued second paying citation of $130.00 MC27769C Case 2025-9777038 for elevators in disrepair/inoperable.
- 11:35 pm October 3, 2025, 2025, Issued third paying citation of $130.00 MC27770C Case 2026-9780981 for elevators in disrepair/inoperable.