In a swift response to a critical elevator failure, Pittsburgh's Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections has ordered the evacuation of floors five and up in the Skyvue Apartments in the Oakland neighborhood. According to a news release from the city, through WTAE, the measure came after emergency services had to carry a resident needing medical attention down multiple flights of stairs due to all four non-operational elevators.
The evacuation notice for residents on floors five through 13 arrived with little time to spare before the 7 p.m. deadline, as David He, a resident, indicated while recounting his ordeal, "I was actually skiing at Seven Springs, and I just saw an email saying that I will be evacuating until seven. And when I saw the email, it's already 4 or 5. So I was like, oh, my God, I have to drive back." As per WTAE, he stated that he would rush back to pack essentials for the upcoming days.
In light of the condemnation and the crisis unfolding at Skyvue Apartments, the building management has put forth a plan. Temporary accommodations are being offered at the Residence Inn next door to support those displaced while the dramatic repair efforts unfold. A resident shared with CBS News Pittsburgh, "The well-being of our residents is our top priority. In compliance with the city's order, Skyvue is providing hotel accommodations and support to residents who need temporary housing while the elevators are being repaired."
Issues with the building, a property under Greystar that is less than ten years old, are not new, per resident's accounts and past incidents. A former resident recollected having to navigate the hurdle of multiple flights of stairs when, in 2019, the elevators were down as well. Despite these recurring elevator issues, building management has assured residents that their elevator service vendor is "working overtime" to expedite repairs and that residents will be updated accordingly and hope to return to their apartments soon, according to a statement detailed by CBS News Pittsburgh.
