Residents of the Century Building Face Ongoing Challenges After Flood
Residents of the historic Century Building in downtown Milwaukee have faced a difficult situation for over two weeks, as floodwaters caused by heavy rains damaged the building’s only working elevator. This has left many residents, particularly those who rely on the elevator for mobility, stranded on upper floors and unable to access essential services or even leave their apartments.
The flooding occurred on August 9 and had a significant impact on the building located at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Wells Street. According to resident Dave Loesch, the basement level was severely affected, leading to a prolonged power outage and the permanent shutdown of the elevator. “Senior citizens, there’s a woman on our floor that has to use oxygen equipment, there’s little kids,” he said, highlighting the vulnerability of some residents.
Loesch shared his own experience, noting that it takes 132 stairs from the main lobby to reach their sixth-floor apartment. Despite having a heart condition, he continues to climb the stairs daily. However, his wife, Linda, who requires a walker, has been unable to leave their home since the incident. “She’s been stuck there ever since. She can use her walker and walk around the floor for her exercise, but she can’t get out here,” Loesch explained.
Linda described the frustration of being confined to her apartment. “Not able to get outside. And I would love to get out,” she said. “I’m cooped up in one place. And I want to get some fresh air, like everyone else.”
ACC Management Group confirmed that the incident was due to the flooding and subsequent city storm drain backups. They stated they are working with a repair company to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. However, WISN 12 News has not yet received a response regarding whether the management is offering assistance with garbage collection or food deliveries.
Schindler, the elevator contractor working at the Century Building, issued a statement acknowledging the damage caused by the flooding. They mentioned they are collaborating with the building’s management team to restore the elevator to safe operation as soon as possible. The statement also emphasized the urgency of the situation and the steps being taken to expedite repairs.
Marilyn Stephens, a caretaker at the building, expressed concern about the impact on vulnerable residents. One of her clients, who has a heart condition, was hospitalized due to the physical strain of climbing the stairs. “It started occurring during the time that she was going up and down the steps and things like that. Now she might’ve had this condition prior, but it didn’t help,” she said. Another resident, who recently had a knee replacement, is also struggling with the lack of elevator access.
Stephens called for immediate action from the building’s owners. “We need someone, whoever owns this building, to fix the elevator. By now, you should have something to fix the elevator,” she said.
As the situation continues, residents remain hopeful that the elevator will be repaired soon. For now, they are relying on each other and the community for support while waiting for a resolution to their ongoing challenges.
