Most high rise elevators work

After years of complaints about slow, unreliable elevators in the high rises, Residential Maintenance has completed almost two-thirds of its elevator renovation project. Three of the elevators in High Rise East and all four elevators in High Rise South are now functioning, according to Associate Director of Residential Maintenance Al Zuino. The refurbishing plan for High Rise North, however, is on hold -- along with other large-scale maintenance projects -- until the release of the Biddison Hier report on facilities and residences, Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said. That report is scheduled to be completed in early March. "By April, 100 percent of the HRE and HRS elevators will be renovated and operating," Zuino said. At that time, all elevators in the two residences will have received refurbished compartments and revamped computer systems. The improvements comply with recent regulations. And while the elevators may not necessarily run faster, they should make fewer inefficient mistakes, such as opening doors on random floors and stopping for extended periods of time without a reason. Zuino said the new "computer brains" in the renovated elevators will shorten the wait between when an elevator is alerted and when it arrives. "I hope students are pleased with the work we have done so far," Zuino said. "Not all the work is very noticeable, but it really makes a difference." The continuation of the renovation project for more than a year and a half, however, has caused frustration among some students. "The elevators are great when you can get one, but in HRE that's not too often," said College and Wharton junior Jason Wang. "It's kind of annoying." And some HRN residents are distressed with the conditions of their unrenovated elevators. "My mom won't even visit my room because she is so afraid of the elevators," said College sophomore Christina Franchetti. "They shake so much and are really annoying." Franchetti, a 20th-floor resident, added that it is often quicker for her to take the stairs than wait for an elevator. Zuino said all maintenance projects for elevators are completed on a special schedule that plans most construction during summer months in order to disrupt students as little as possible. The most noticeable change in HRE and HRS are the new elevator stops at the upper lobby of each building, which allow access for the disabled, Zuino said. The renovation of HRS cost approximately $750,000 and HRE is expected to have a similar budget, according to Zuino. College senior Patrick Merriam, a HRS desk worker, called the newly renovated elevators more efficient. He added that having all four elevators operating in the building is the most positive difference.

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