Residents seek officials' help in Irvin Towers

Faulty elevators and limited security were the main concerns of Irvin Towers residents who met with city officials Saturday.

The group of about 30 residents of the low-income housing for disabled and elderly people sought support from Augusta commissioners Betty Beard and Corey Johnson in their mission to ensure the Augusta Housing Authority corrects problems the residents have been facing for years, said James Ivery, a spokesman for the Irvin Towers Residents Association.

Mr. Ivery presented a petition to the housing authority July 1 requesting that it replace the elevators, repair washers and dryers, increase security and provide other improvements to the complex on Laney-Walker Boulevard. The authority met with members of the residents association Aug. 12 to review each item on the list, Mr. Ivery said.

"They have done some of the things that they promised that they'd do, but we still have concerns," he said, noting that the washers and dryers had not been repaired properly.

The main concern for most residents are the elevators, Mr. Ivery said. The building, which houses 100 people, has two elevators that consistently are out of service, he said.

Richard Arfman, the authority's director of planning and development, said an elevator repairman is now available to the residents daily, but it will take time to get the best bid to contract out the repair work. Replacing both elevators will cost about $400,000, he said.

"We've explained to them that we have to get the right bid, but at the end of six months they'll have two very, very reliable elevators," Mr. Arfman said.

The housing authority answered the security concerns by placing security cameras at each entrance and exit. The cameras and installation cost the authority $11,000, Mr. Arfman said. The video footage from the cameras is reviewed by the building managers each morning, said Reaby Gray, the vice president of the residents association.

Ms. Gray said she was pleased with the success of the cameras, but she still wants to see more improvements to the rooms, washers and dryers and landscaping.

Ms. Beard said the residents had legitimate concerns, but it appeared the housing authority is handling most of the issues.

"Something has to be done about the elevators, and if they have any problems, I've told them to call me," she said. "Our objective is to make sure they have a very good quality of life."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.