TAMARAC – Senior residents at a Tamarac condo community are expressing frustration after the building’s elevator has been out of service for weeks, making mobility challenging for many.

The sign on the elevator, reading “Elevator Out of Service,” is the stone-cold greeting for dozens of senior citizens at a building at the Bermuda Club condominium complex, located near Commercial Boulevard and Northwest 64th Avenue.

“It’s been like hell for my mother and everyone in the building. It’s been such a rough time,” she said. Every trip to the doctor’s office or grocery store requires a timely journey up and down the stairs, which is especially difficult for the elderly. Dambolela said that her mother is 80 years old and many other residents are of a similar age. Rachel Grey, another resident, added, “I’m 74 years old, and I’m one of the youngest here.” Grey is at her wit’s end over the problem, explaining, “First of all, my toes are broken, and we have to go upstairs. You can’t bring any groceries or do anything. Thank God I’m not in a wheelchair, but there are people who are.”

 

Despite the “Open” sign at the property manager’s office, there was no response when Local 10 News knocked.

Attempts to reach out via phone and email were also made.

A sign posted on the elevator blames the ongoing problem on the integrity of the steel jack assembly.

It states, “During an elevator inspection, we encountered an unfortunate situation. The elevator hydraulic system has developed an internal oil leak. Eastern Elevator is in the process of an immediate solution.”

Leonardo Montoya, another resident, expressed his concern, saying, “I have three people here who can’t walk — it’s sick.”

As Local 10 News asked more questions, a crew from the elevator company arrived at the site.

A technician said, “We’re gonna start to work, I don’t know — we’re going to see after we see the thing, you know.”

However, they left shortly after without fixing the issue.

Dambolela and her elderly mother have decided to leave.

“We’re leaving. You have the whole stuff in there. I’m going to take her for two weeks to another house,” Dambolela said.

A representative from the elevator company said the hydraulic jack is leaking oil about 30 feet below the ground, making it a huge job with custom-made parts required.

The representative said the company hope to complete the job by the end of the year.