Waukesha, Wisconsin (CBS 58) — Today, just one year after police forced the evacuation of their Waukesha home because the building was threatening to collapse, condo owners reunited.
There are 48 units within Horizon West Condos. Residents recall the feeling of unease on that cold night. Part senior, part in her teens, home alone – now they have one thing in common – they just have an unwavering heartbreak.
“We’re still here. This hasn’t gone away for them,” said Diane McGean, the condo owner’s daughter.
Diane McGeen’s 87-year-old mother has had a rough year after panicking her out of her fourth-floor home at Horizon West Condos.
“It was like being on the Titanic that sank. It was 15 minutes. Get out, you can never live here again,” said McGean.
This is the Horizon West Condos on West Avenue in Waukesha today. A year ago it was declared structurally unsound.
“There was panic all over the place. People in the hallway were like, Is that true? Is that true? Is this really happening?” McGean said.
Scars had physical and emotional consequences.
“When I moved, I had a stress fracture in my back, which pissed her off, and I started having more heart problems,” McGean said.
Ione Kohler is now back in the hospital, his sixth hospitalization last year.
“Before that, she was energetic, active and very healthy,” McGeen said.
Of the 48 affected families, some were found to be still homeless, living with family members and sleeping on sofas. Some who choose to rent an apartment have seen their credit take a hit as they can no longer pay their mortgages.
“Last year was very busy. I was in a pretty deep depression for the first few months,” said condo owner Laurel Peterson.
Laurel Peterson showed us this photo of her daughter in her upstairs condo before rushing out.
“We did the best we could. We didn’t know where we were going or what exactly was going on,” Peterson said.
The condo owners filed a lawsuit against traveler insurance for failing to pay their claims and tried their best to get together, but the judge ruled against them. attractive. Meanwhile, the city is trying to force the condo owners to pay for the demolition of the building.
“Of course, we’re all in financial trouble, so it’s almost impossible to raise that kind of money on our own,” Peterson said.
There is a hearing in January and a Waukesha County judge is expected to consider demolition of the building.
