Residents stuck after vandals smash Downtown Eastside elevator

Residents of a Downtown Eastside hotelare stuck with a broken elevator again.

They say the Regent Hotel's elevatorbroke down on Thursday night last week, trapping residents with mobility issues in the seven-storey building.

The hotel a single room occupancy hotel has been plagued with maintenanceproblems over the years, including breakdowns with heat and hot water.

But this time there is a different cause behind the problem.

'Result of vandalism'

The City of Vancouver's chief licensing inspector, Andreea Toma, said the city visited the SRO on Friday after receiving a complaint the elevator was broken.

"[Someone] had gotten into the [elevator control] room and they had literally smashed all of the mechanics and all of the electronics in the panel," she explained.

"So unfortunately it was a result of vandalism...it wasn't a result of lack of maintenance or lack of follow-up by the city."

She doesn't know who was behind the vandalism.

Toma said the city is working with the owners of the building the Sahotas to get the elevator up and running as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, Toma said the city has adopted a tough stance with the Sahotas.

The city has issued a formal order against the owners to get the elevator fixed by tomorrow, after which Toma said the city would consider recommending charges against them for by-law violations.

"We have had experience with these owners and this hotel particularly [including] some outstanding maintenance issues and...issues with the exterior of the building of the Regent Hotel," she said.

Residents helping one another

The broken elevator has left many residents stuck in their units for days, said resident Jack Gates.

Gatessaid one woman who needs the elevator is 70 years old.

"I've got some people, elders and people that have to get medication in the mornings that are on the seventh floor and they just can't get out.

"And we don't know how long the elevator is going to be out."

Gates said one elderly man tried to use the stairs and ran into so much difficulty, he won't do it again.

Gates has volunteered to help thosewho can't leave their units.

Toma sympathized with residents.

"We are trying to do our best in imploring the owners and the management to do more," she said.

"It's unfortunate that this happening."

With files from Anita Bathe.