Inspection set for major repair at Crystal Towers after facing repeated delays

The first of two elevators at a Winston-Salem affordable housing complex could finally be operational this week after repeated delays in repairs its tenants have been pushing the city to address.

Crystal Towers is a 201-unit building home to residents who are elderly and disabled overseen by the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, or HAWS. Last year, tenants and activists rallied to protest delayed repairs at the complex.

Since then, renovations in the building's laundry room and lobby have been completed. But HAWS Executive Director Kevin Cheshire said at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting staffing issues with the contract has delayed the first of two elevator repairs.

"As with Crystal Towers it seems like Murphy's law over and over again," Cheshire said. "If it can go wrong out there it will, but our contractor has been really, really good and we're moving forward with the plan."

The first elevator in the building was expected to be operational late last year before being pushed back to February. Cheshire said the further delay came after the lead mechanic with Kone — the company installing the elevators – left. 

The first elevator's inspection is scheduled for Tuesday, and it could be operational later this week. The second is estimated to take another 10 to 12 weeks to finish.