DC Residents Voice Frustration Over Broken Elevators in Apartments

Washington: Darryl Smith is really struggling with the elevators at his apartment. He told WUSA9 that he has to drag himself up and down the stairs because they’re almost always out of order.

Just two days after some neighbors raised concerns, he ended up in the hospital after falling down the stairs. Smith, who lives on the fifth floor of Parc Riverside, relies on a wheelchair and is visually impaired. He’s been dealing with this elevator issue since he moved in a year ago.

He mentioned that the service elevator is the only one that sometimes works, but he usually waits around 30 to 45 minutes for it. Unfortunately, on Saturday, he fell and a neighbor found him unconscious, leading to a hospital visit.

A spokesperson for the apartment complex said there’s one working elevator, and they’re working on the others. They claimed that the safety of residents is a priority and that they assist those with disabilities. But Darryl insists that the so-called “working elevator” is often broken too, leaving him to navigate the stairs.

He expressed his frustration, saying, “This has been going on a year. They want you to pay 3,000 a month. It’s not even worth it.” The management didn’t provide a timeline for repairs or comment on the incident.

According to D.C. law, apartment buildings with elevators must keep them in good working order and make repairs promptly. The Department of Buildings has issued a notice of infraction and is looking into the elevator situation. They also encourage tenants to request inspections if they face issues in their buildings.