For the first time in two weeks, the bottom floor of the Emerson Manor is up-and-running.
Walking past in downtown Hoquiam Friday morning one could hear county music as a group of women line danced in the senior center. The lights were on at Anchor Bank. In the Shear Artistry hair salon, customers sat with their hair in curlers, chatting with owner Duryce Ford.
“I’m really happy to be back to work and to see everyone again,” Ford said. “I understand that we couldn’t be in here because of the air quality, but it was very difficult. Unexpected vacations with no income are no fun.”
Like Emerson Manor’s other downstairs tenants, Ford had to close the doors of her business Feb. 24 when crews discovered high levels of bacteria and water damage throughout the building. Fire damage was confined to one fifth floor room, but complications with the apartments’ sprinkler system caused damage throughout the building. More than 60 residents — most of whom are elderly, disabled or low-income — had to leave their homes. They’re currently staying at local motels or with friends and family.
Loretta Freeman, an 82-year-old Emerson Manor resident, said she’s one of the lucky ones. She’s been able to stay with her daughter. Still, she misses her neighbors — who she refers to as her family — the comforts of home and the convenience of living above the senior center.
“Everyone was very, very upset when we were told we had to leave,” Freeman said. “And then everyone had to give up their pets. That was the worst part.”
About 20 residents spent the first night at Aberdeen Manor or Immanuel Baptist Church and were unable to bring their pets. But since then, the animals have been returned to their owners.
Jerry Raines, executive director of the Housing Authority of Grays Harbor, said he’s still not sure when residents will be able to move back home.
“It’s been a tough situation, but (the residents) are tough,” Raines said. “They’ve been wonderful throughout all of this, and we really appreciate it.”
Most of the apartments have been dried and sanitized, but crews must still replace carpet and drywall.
On Friday, crews from Seattle Painting were working to replace drywall on the fourth and fifth floors. They’ll work their way down the building, replacing drywall on the other floors. Most of the building’s hallways still have bare floors.
Raines said six rooms on the fourth and fifth floors have the most damage. Most of the kitchen cabinets, drywall and carpets have been removed and much of the furniture has been thrown out. The room damaged by fire still smells of smoke, and the ceiling is blackened by soot.
The Housing Authority’s insurance company will cover the cost of building repairs, but not furniture replacement, Raines said. Only one of the residents had renter insurance.
But the residents were able to keep most of their heirlooms and belongings, Raines said.
The building’s famous lobby should also be just fine, despite some initial concerns, Raines said. On the day of the fire, he was shocked by the amount of water dripping from the ceiling, but the structure is still sound and beautiful, Raines said.
The doorway from the lobby into the senior center is also draped in plastic, but the facility on the other side has returned to normal. Stephanie Glover, the center’s coordinator, said the staff is preparing for upcoming activities and looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Most of seniors had been attending the Aberdeen Senior Center while the Hoquiam facility was closed. But by Friday morning, several people had already returned. “I knew the minute that they opened the door they would be back,” Glover said.
About 15 women participated in line dancing that morning. Whenever someone walked through the door, they cheered and greeted the newcomer with hugs.
Despite her limited mobility, Freeman was able to return, too. She said she was happy to resume her job at the front desk.
“I like this job and I’m glad to be back,” Freeman said. “I really missed it.”
At Shear Artistry, two regulars — Helen Brown and Svea McKay — were back in the chairs having their hair done. Many of Ford’s clients are Emerson Manor residents or Hoquiam Senior Center patrons.
McKay, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday — was at the salon on the day of the fire.
“It was really scary,” McKay said. “It seemed like the whole world was going to end.”
Trinkets &Treasures, located next door to the salon, was still closed Friday morning.
Anchor Bank, however, had resumed operations. Branch Manager Lorna White said she’s happy to see some of her regular customers, but she misses the Emerson Manor residents.
Anchor Bank has set up the Emerson Manor Assistance Fund to help residents replace their furniture and other items. All of the proceeds will benefit the residents, and donations can be made at any Anchor Bank branch.
“This building is like a big family,” White said. “We’re all looking forward to everyone moving back and everything getting back to normal.”
No comments:
Post a Comment