Assessment planned for Crystal Towers as repairs for final elevator near completion

The second elevator at Crystal Towers in Winston-Salem could be finished later this month with the next step for the 11-story high-rise being a full assessment of the building.

The last elevator in need of repairs at the low-income housing facility for the elderly and the disabled was originally expected to be completed in August. But following labor and supply challenges, an electrical issue stemming from how the building was constructed more than 50 years ago was the next hurdle.

That's according to Housing Authority of Winston-Salem Executive Director Kevin Cheshire. He says the elevator is now scheduled to have an inspection in the coming weeks, and the next project for the building involves an in-depth evaluation.

"What we're doing with Crystal Towers, and right now we're only doing it for Crystal Towers, is what would it look like to not just fix what's broken at Crystal Towers, but to design it in a way that would be sustainable over the long term, that would be functional and that would actually improve the livability of the apartments in that building," Cheshire says.

The housing authority's Board of Commissioners approved a $205,000 contract in September for the assessment. It's expected to be completed in January.