PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — It’s been nearly a month, and some South Pasadena seniors are left stranded!
Residents who live at the Elance at Pasadena, which was recently renamed “The Barclay at Pasadena,” have not been able to access their apartments since before Helene.
Janice Kolacy, 91, evacuated her apartment with only a few days’ worth of her necessities. It’s been four weeks without being allowed back in.
“I’m in good health at 91,” she said. “This has been annoying as hell!”
Kolacy is in good spirits despite the situation that she’s in.
“All my records, I need my records if I should die, what a problem they’re going to have,” she said.
It was the same for Robert Calver. His daughter Liz said he’s 74 and suffers from Progressive M.S.
“He thought maybe three days, so he brought two changes of clothes and his little Diddy bag, and that’s it,” Liz Calver said.
A day before Hurricane Helene hit, residents said they were given two hours to evacuate their homes at Elance at Pasadena, and they have not been able to go home since.
“I saw them cleaning out my refrigerator,” she said. “I’ve seen them in my room several times checking things out. I know there’s no damage, nothing wrong with my room, but I can’t get up there and get my things.”
Kolacy’s daughter, Peggy Quinn, previously set up a Ring camera inside her mom’s apartment. For weeks, they’ve watched as strangers enter and roam the apartment.
“They have not told us anything,” Quinn said. “I have called. I have emailed. I get a very generic answer.”
On top of their troubles getting ahold of management, Quinn said the property changed management days ago to QSLM, which is based in Pensacola.
“They’re sugarcoating everything, and they’re not telling them the truth people are suffering bad here,” Kolacy said.
“Finally, on Sunday morning I just had it,” said Liz Calver. “My husband and I walked in the building. The elevator was working.”
Her dad, Robert, left his apartment locked, but when Liz went in on Sunday, she found the door unlocked.
“How many people have master keys not only that worked there but that don’t work there?” she said.
A notice was sent to residents and families on Oct. 18 from Estella Bowers, the vice president of transition operations.
Bowers said starting Oct. 21, team members will retrieve items for residents. They will need to send an email (evacinfo@barclayseniorliving.com) with the requested items, schedule a time for pick up, and then sign for the release.
Bowers wrote, “the first floor specifically, but other floors suffered immense flood damage” and “there is intermittent elevator access currently.” She went on to write: “because your safety is most important to us, admittance to the property is not permitted.”
Kolacy said that’s not good enough. She doesn’t have her documents, jewelry, or enough clothing to get by, despite paying $3,900 per month.
“When I get back, I would say I will be gone,” she said. “Yes I will be gone very, very quickly.”
The Calvers want more transparency.
“We’ve been told approximately seven different stories between people that work at the building, workers that are there for cleanup, and the new management company, so there is not a consistent story,” she said.
When we tried to approach management, we were told no comment and asked to leave. 8 On Your Side Investigator Brittany Muller has reached out to city, county and state leaders about this issue.
After notifying DCF, a spokesperson responded: “I advise that you; along with the families you mentioned in your email, call the Abuse Hotline so that the proper actions can be taken. The Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-962-2873. More information about the Abuse Hotline can be found here.”
We will stay on this story. If you are a resident or a family member and are willing to share your story, contact Brittany Muller at bmuller@wfla.com.
