MISSOURI CITY, Texas – After weeks of frustration and stalled elevators, residents at a Missouri City senior living complex may finally see relief. Management at Jubilee at Texas Parkway now says a long-awaited repair part has arrived, and technicians are scheduled to begin work Tuesday just days after a visit from Congressman Al Green and the launch of a state investigation into the property’s safety violations.
“The well-being of our residents has been and continues to be our highest priority,” the complex said in a statement Monday to KPRC 2. “We have maintained close and continuous communication with the city. Our team has helped residents with groceries, meals, and other essential needs to support their comfort and safety while the elevator has been out of service.”
The update comes after residents, including cancer patient Alice Blueitt, spoke out publicly about enduring weeks without working elevators in the four-story senior housing complex. Blueitt, undergoing treatment for chronic leukemia, said she was forced to go down two flights of stairs to attend a recent meeting with Congressman Al Green, who visited the property over the weekend.
“It’s very hard for me to get through my cancer treatments and walk up the stairs to my floor,” Blueitt said. “I have to stop in the middle of the stairwell and catch my breath.”
She, along with other tenants, is demanding accountability from the owners of the Jubilee at Texas Parkway in Missouri City where residents pay up to $1,200 a month despite unsafe and deteriorating living conditions.
“This is awful. This is pitiful for a whole new complex,” she said. “Maybe now they’ll care.”
Jubilee at Texas Parkway has been the center of several KPRC 2 reports.
The issue has drawn the attention of federal, state, and local officials. U.S. Congressman Al Green (D–9th District), toured the complex this past weekend, and confirmed what residents have been saying for months: both elevators are out of service, with one reportedly out since September 2024.
“I don’t believe a property receiving a tax subsidy can allow these conditions to persist,” said Green. “This has to be corrected. And if it’s not corrected in short order, we’re going to make sure you don’t get any more tax subsidies.”
Congressman Al Green also sent a letter to the property owners and management stating his concerns and requesting a meeting.
Missouri City Council Member Jeffrey Boney and Mayor Robin Elackatt also joined the site visit, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to hold the property owners accountable. The city has already issued multiple code violations, up to $500 daily fines, and struggled to reach the owners, even resorting to mailing notices to five separate addresses.
“We’ve reached out to them on countless occasions,” Boney said. “They’ve been very still non-responsive. Of course, now we’re citing them, we’re sending them constant communication. We had to send a notice of violation to five different addresses to try to figure out exactly how to get in touch with them and get them to respond to no avail.”
Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has confirmed it is investigating.
“We’ve received a complaint about the elevators and have opened an enforcement case,” a TDLR spokesperson told KPRC 2. “Beyond that, I have no other information that I can provide at this time about this location or any possible administrative action that could occur as a result of the investigation.”
What the Law Says
Elevator-related safety in Texas is governed by the Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 754 and 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 74. Property owners who fail to maintain their elevator systems may face steep fines and penalties under state law:
- Class A Violations: Up to $3,000 per elevator unit for failures such as not displaying certificates of compliance.
- Class B Violations: Up to $5,000 per unit, especially if inspections aren’t properly filed or conducted.
- Class C Violations: Up to $5,000 per unit, including violations of safety inspection requirements.
- Class D Violations: Flat $5,000 per violation, for the most serious offenses like defying state orders or fraud.
Property owners are required to ensure all elevator units are inspected annually, that certificates are displayed publicly, and that equipment with reportable conditions is taken out of service until repaired. Failure to comply may result in compounded penalties for each unit.
Industry Experts Weigh In
Jonathan Balderas of the International Union of Elevator Constructors revealed that several contractors have visited the site but say the building’s management has failed to move forward.
“They’re shopping around for contractors after getting a free inspection but they’re not following up for actual repairs,” Balderas explained. “They’re still waiting to finalize invoicing.”
While city officials continue citations and code enforcement, and TDLR proceeds with its investigation, residents like Alice Blueitt are left to wait and climb.
“If I had the money, I would move,” she said quietly. “I would find someplace else.”
For now, elected leaders promise to use every tool available to force action, including blocking future tax incentives for negligent owners.
“You’re not going to get tax breaks if you don’t repair elevators,” Green concluded. “We’re going to make sure of it.”
Jubilee at Texas Parkway statement:
“The well-being of our residents has been and continues to be our highest priority. Throughout the repair process of the elevators at Jubilee Parkway, we have maintained close and continuous communication with the City. At every stage, we have provided transparent updates to the appropriate authorities, ensuring they remain fully informed of our progress and our steadfast commitment to resolving the issue.
During this time, our team has helped residents with groceries, meals, and other essential needs to support their comfort and safety while the elevator has been out of service.
We are pleased to share that the necessary part has been received at the property today, and technicians from the Elevators of Beaumont will arrive tomorrow to carry out the repairs. We are optimistic this work will restore the elevator functionality.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our residents for their patience and to City officials for their ongoing collaboration."
