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Elevator project completed

Franklin Park residents celebrate

By John Faucher


When you live in the tallest building in New London, five stories tall, living without an elevator can be more than a just a little hassle.

Residents at Franklin Park Apartments celebrated the competition of a major elevator project at their building, managed by the New London Housing Authority.

The building was built in 1969 and opened for the first tenants in 1970.

New London Housing Authority Executive Director, Laura Marker said that the 47-year-old elevator was in working order however, it was in need of preventative maintenance.

That required removing the shaft and inspecting the cavity below the ground.

“The project began the first week of May, and was not estimated to be completed until June 9,” said Marker.

Many of the building’s 63 residents are elderly or people with disabilities, making the elevator a necessity.

Marker said 47 of the 63 residents stayed at the apartment through the duration of the project. Sixteen stayed elsewhere, living with either family or friends, and eight stayed at America’s Best Value In.

At a celebration last Tuesday, with residents and members of the Housing Authority board, Marker thanked the owners of the hotel, and others who assisted residents during the project.

“We are so grateful for Kim Ebert at the New London Senior Center, and Bill Stork in the Guidance Office at New London High School, for reaching out and providing their services for our residents,” said Marker.

New London High School students, and Stork himself, ran errands for residents and performed necessary day-to-day tasks that would have been limited because of the five floors in the building.

Ebert coordinated meals on wheels deliveries to the hotel and offered additional services for residents during project.

“Everybody just went above and beyond and went out of their way to help these folks out. We can’t thank them enough,” said Jeanette Zielinski, administrative coordinator for the New London Housing Authority.

Marker said the elevator work was performed by John Mueller of Braun ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company.

“They were very professional and great to work with,” said Marker. “We’re so glad the project finished ahead of schedule.”

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