Uproar continues over broken elevator at South Bend senior home

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Residents of Heritage Place at LaSalle Square were furious to learn that the elevator in their building that has been broken for five weeks may not be fixed for another month.

The only elevator in the four-story senior living complex has been out due to mechanical issues, leaving residents with breathing problems, heart trouble, and mobility issues with no choice but to take the stairs or stay put in their apartment.

"My heart was racing so fast that I thought I was going to collapse right there," said resident Marsha Campbell, who has an oxygen tank and has left her fourth-floor apartment once since the building's only elevator went out of service.  "I'm not planning on going down any starts like that."

The Sterling Group, who manages the property, cited supply chain issues as the source of the problem and said that one crucial part for the broken elevator has been on backorder and won't arrive for another month.

2nd District Councilman Henry Davis Jr. was outside the senior home on Monday alongside angry tenants and family members calling on the mayor, fire department, and other municipal authorities to find a solution.

"Heaven forbid that there is a fire here and that the residents can't get out," said Davis Jr.

The Sterling Group released a statement saying that the broken elevator is a top priority and that they are working collectively to seek alternate solutions.

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