PETERSBURG, Va. -- City Councilman Marlow Jones can't understand why residents were allowed to move back into the Carriage House Apartments in Petersburg. The residents, most of whom are senior citizens, disabled, or both, moved out two months ago so the company that runs Carriage House could address chronically broken elevators and other safety issues.
Some residents were allowed back this week and almost immediately raised concerns.
"I think we’ve been misled to believe the whole elevator was going to be replaced and fixed but that’s not the case with this thing, it feels like it is worse than it was," Jones, who visited the building this week and recorded video of his findings, said. "You hit the emergency button on the inside and it does not ring to anybody. So if you get trapped on that elevator, you’re just stuck there."
Jones heard from residents, some of whom spoke with CBS 6, about their frustrations.
"We don’t have any hot water," Carriage House resident Sharon Vasiloff said. "Only one elevator [out of two] is working and it’s slow as all get out and we’re kind of afraid to go up and down but what choice do we have?"
Joyce Wiggins, who delivers meals to people living at Carriage House, called the living conditions horrendous.
"It smells awful in the building. I mean it’s still unbearable," she said. "This is not livable for senior citizens. I wouldn’t have my parents living here."
For Councilman Jones, it's a matter of human decency.
"These people's lives matter," he said. "They should not have been moved back into this place. It’s not safe right now."
The company that owns Carriage House responded to Wayne's questions with this statement.
Wayne, Thank you for reaching out for an update on Carriage House Apartments. We understand the recent inconveniences residents experienced and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the current situation. Hot Water Restoration: We apologize for the temporary hot water disruption that recently occurred. The boiler is currently operational and hot water service has been restored. Resident Relocation: We prioritized relocating residents to suitable accommodations while repairs were underway. While some residents opted to return to the property earlier due to personal circumstances, the official move-in resumed upon hot water restoration. Elevators: The building has one fully functional elevator, and a technician is on-site to ensure its continued operation. We understand the importance of a second elevator and are actively working on repairs for a swift resolution. Pest Control: Regarding pest control, we maintain a regular treatment program with a licensed exterminator who visits every Thursday. In addition to this routine service, we recently undertook a special, week-long treatment for the entire building. This comprehensive treatment included thorough inspections, fogging, baiting for insects in all units, hallways, and common areas. We remain committed to providing a pest-free environment for our residents. Resident Support: We are committed to supporting our residents during this time. Transportation assistance is available for those who need it, and we have addressed individual concerns as they arise. We apologize for any discomfort caused by these temporary setbacks. We are working diligently to ensure a comfortable living environment for our residents.
The City of Petersburg said code compliance would monitor the work on the hot water to make sure it was up to code and working properly.
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