MISSOURI CITY, Texas – The Missouri City senior apartment complex, Jubilee at Texas Parkway, which KPRC 2 has been covering for several weeks, continues to face scrutiny over its ongoing elevator issues but may soon see some progress.
On Friday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued a $381,400 fine to Jubilee for failing to meet Texas elevator standards and codes.
Residents have endured non-functioning elevators as well as safety and maintenance concerns since early May. Some reported being trapped in their apartments for weeks, while others had to climb multiple flights of stairs for everyday activities and medical appointments.
Following the fine’s issuance last week, KPRC 2 reached out to TDLR for clarification. The department stated that Jubilee’s owners, Gardner Capital, have until July 25 to either pay the fine or appeal through the State Office of Administrative Hearings. If paid before July 25, the fine would be reduced to $286,050.
As of Monday, June 30, Gardner Capital has neither paid nor appealed the fine, nor have they repaired the elevators.
Over the weekend, KPRC 2 reporter Rilwan Balogun, who has covered this story since May, learned that one elevator briefly operated for the first time in two months but were not functioning again as of Monday.
“Some of the people that were on the fourth floor, they were so happy that they came down to the community room Saturday because it was just a relief for them to get out of their apartments,” said Myrtle Welcome, who lives on the second floor. “Then for me to tell them the next day, hey, the elevator’s not working, so you’re stuck up there again.”
In a June 20 statement to KPRC 2, Gardner Capital announced the deployment of a full-time onsite care team at Jubilee, assigning at least one person per floor to assist residents with errands, care, and daily needs. They also offered alternative housing accommodations to residents who requested them. It remains unclear if any residents have taken up this offer.
Gardner Capital has also given its property management company, Asset Living, a 15-day emergency deadline, ending July 5, to complete the elevator repairs.
