ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One problem after another for residents of a downtown Albuquerque apartment complex, Downtown @ 700. What started as a fire in one of the units in the building later led to further problems.
“We’re doing what we can to help them,” said Debbie Davis, chief administrative officer for the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico (SHCNM). In response to the May 6 fire, the building’s sprinkler system activated, flooding parts of the building and rendering the building’s only elevator inoperable. As a result, dozens of tenants with physical limitations must find other ways to get to the first floor.
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“I have to wait for friends, otherwise I’ll call friends and have someone take me down and take me back,” said Robin Christian, a tenant in the building.
“It’s going to take time to get her, and then it’s going to take time to get everything in order,” said Jo Martin, who also lives in the apartment complex.
The property’s owners, SHCNM, said an insurance adjuster has already visited the property and a fire investigator is expected to appear on Monday. They estimated the cost to repair the elevator at about $15,000. SHCNM said they have taken steps to provide services to tenants in the meantime.
“They distributed information to residents showing where they could get help, the Red Cross was contacted, and Capstone organized the food delivery,” Davis explained.
While some tenants are frustrated about how long it will take to repair the elevator, others who live in the complex say they are grateful for the steps taken to bring tenants much-needed items. “They took us around, on Friday they brought us some toiletries and food boxes,” Christian said.
“Management does everything they can for all disabled people, not just the people in the seats,” Martin added.
SHCNM said they expect the elevator to be back up and running this week or even next week. Once repaired, Albuquerque Fire Rescue must confirm the lift is safe before it can be used.
No injuries were reported in the fire.
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