WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Condominium homeowners reunited at the moment, precisely one 12 months after police pressured them to evacuate their Waukesha houses, for worry the constructing might collapse.
Forty eight items are inside Horizon West Condos. The occupants recall emotions of uncertainty that chilly evening. Some aged, some teenagers, house alone –now, with one widespread thread — the heartbreak they simply cannot shake.
“We’re nonetheless right here. This hasn’t gone away for them,” mentioned Diane McGeen, daughter of rental proprietor.
Diane McGeen’s 87-year-old mother has had a tough 12 months, after the panic of being pressured out of her fourth-floor house at Horizon West Condos.
“It was nearly like being on the Titanic when it sunk. It was quarter-hour, get out, you will not be capable to stay right here ever once more,” mentioned McGeen.
This is Horizon West Condos, on West Avenue in Waukesha at the moment. A 12 months in the past, it was declared structurally unsound.
“It was panic in every single place, individuals within the hallways saying is it true? Is it true? Is this actually occurring?” mentioned McGeen.
Scars resulted each bodily and emotional.
“Shifting she had a stress fracture in her again after which that set her off. After which she began having extra coronary heart points,” mentioned McGeen.
Proper now, Ione Kohler is again within the hospital, her sixth journey within the final 12 months.
“And earlier than that she was like vibrant and energetic and really wholesome,” mentioned McGeen.
Of the 48 households affected, we have realized some are nonetheless homeless — dwelling with a member of the family, sleeping on couches. Some who selected to lease an condo have seen their credit score take successful as a result of they may now not pay their mortgage.
“The final 12 months’s been very hectic. The primary two to a few months I used to be in a reasonably deep despair,” mentioned Laurel Peterson, rental proprietor.
Laurel Peterson confirmed us this picture of her daughter of their second-floor rental earlier than the frenzy to get out.
“We grabbed what we might. We did not know the place we had been gonna go, what precisely was occurring,” mentioned Peterson.
Condominium homeowners have executed their greatest to stay collectively, submitting a lawsuit in opposition to vacationers insurance coverage for failing to pay claims, however a choose dominated in opposition to them. The homeowners are interesting. In the meantime, the town’s attempting to pressure rental homeowners to pay for the constructing to be demolished.
“After all, we’re all in monetary straits, so for us to give you that type of money on our personal is subsequent to unimaginable,” mentioned Peterson.
There’s a listening to in January the place a Waukesha County choose is predicted to think about demolition of the constructing.
