Bushwick tenants say out of order elevator has impacted everyday tasks

Tenants at a Bushwick apartment complex say the elevator in their building has been out of commission for weeks, and one tenant says it’s impacting her ability to accomplish everyday tasks.

News 12 Staff

Mar 27, 2019, 5:01 PM

Updated 1,854 days ago

Share:

Bushwick tenants say out of order elevator has impacted everyday tasks
Tenants at a Bushwick apartment complex say the elevator in their building has been out of commission for weeks, and one tenant says it’s impacting her ability to accomplish everyday tasks.
Margarita Nieves says the elevators she relies on as a sixth-floor tenant of 557 Knickerbocker Ave. has been out of order several weeks.

"First of all, I’m the oldest one on this floor. Second of all, I have to come up and down because I need things from the drug store, the supermarket, I need to pick up my granddaughter. I come up three and four times. At 71, it's hard,” says Nieves.

To make matters worse, Nieves is currently undergoing treatments for cancer. One of the tumors she says is on her lungs.

"It makes it even harder for me to come up the stairs. I can't breathe. After the fourth floor I can't breathe,” she says.

Her neighbors are also frustrated.

"We're good tenants. We always pay our rent. There's never any problems,” says tenant Carmen Lopez.

Both Lopez and Nieves say they've lived in the building for nearly two decades.

"It makes me feel like they've forgotten us,” says Nieves.

Lopez and the other tenants say the elevators have not been working for more than three weeks. The property manager posted signs saying that they are doing their best, but she says that's simply not enough.

“Now they're waiting on a part. I was born and raised in New York. I know there is nothing, nothing you cannot find in New York City,” says Nieves.

As the days have gone by, the two ladies say they feel like their running out of options and finding a new apartment is not an option.
"I'm a retired teacher, I live on a fixed income, where can I go?” says Lopez.
As a last resort, Nieves called News 12 for help.

"I hope they get this resolved, I don't like to do this, I've never in my life done this. I hope they fix it,” says Nieves.
News 12 reached out to the building's management company and is waiting to hear back.


More from News 12