At Maria Parham Apartments near downtown Henderson, an elevator breakdown in early April has turned a basic convenience into a serious obstacle, especially for older residents. With the only elevator out of service, some seniors say they have been cut off from doctors’ appointments, grocery runs and other daily necessities. Neighbors and relatives describe the outage as stretching from days into weeks for some tenants, creating a particular burden for anyone with limited mobility. With management pegging repairs at roughly $15,000, tenants and local leaders say they want a clearer timeline and more hands-on help while the elevator remains down.
As reported by WRAL, the problem first landed on reporters’ radar through an anonymous tip on April 7. Several residents later backed up the account in interviews with the station. According to WRAL, the N.C. Department of Labor confirmed it has received a complaint and is investigating the elevators at the complex. “If you've got somebody that's elderly, how do you get from point A to point B?” one friend of tenants told the station, summing up the worry that has spread through the building and the surrounding neighborhood.
Department of Labor opens probe
The N.C. Department of Labor told reporters it is in contact with the property manager after receiving the complaint and that repairs are underway. The department’s elevator guidance explains that owners are responsible for keeping elevators in safe working order and that major repairs must be reported so the bureau can schedule a reinspection before the elevator goes back into service. That guidance is posted by the N.C. Department of Labor.
Management response and repair timeline
Landmark Property Management, which oversees Maria Parham Apartments, told reporters that parts needed to replace the elevator’s door operators were delayed but are expected to arrive soon. Landmark vice president Sam Sari wrote that “I feel for our elderly residents” and said staff have been instructed to assist tenants while the elevator is out of service. As reported by WRAL, the company estimated the repair cost at about $15,000 and said it expects the work to be finished next week.
Inspection history and what comes next
Public inspection records from the N.C. Department of Labor show the elevator at 406 South Chestnut Street passed a routine inspection on Nov. 10, 2025 with no violations, although earlier reports list multiple deficiencies in previous years. The state’s log documents routine checks going back decades and shows higher violation counts on some inspections in 2017 and 2018. Residents and city leaders say they plan to track whether the promised repairs are completed and to watch for any follow-up reinspection by the labor bureau to confirm the elevator is safe before it returns to regular use, according to the N.C. Department of Labor.
