By
The Horizon West Condos in Waukesha, Wisconsin, faced a crisis exactly one year ago when police forced residents to evacuate due to fears that the building could collapse. This event left forty-eight units of condo owners stranded and uncertain about their future. The residents, including elderly individuals and teenagers who were home alone, experienced a night of panic and chaos that they will never forget.
Diane McGeen, the daughter of a condo owner, reflected on the past year and the struggles her 87-year-old mother has endured since the evacuation. The sudden displacement from her fourth-floor home at Horizon West Condos was akin to the chaos of the sinking Titanic, with residents being given just fifteen minutes to evacuate and being told they could never return to their homes.
The aftermath of the evacuation left physical and emotional scars on the residents. Many suffered health issues, with some experiencing stress fractures, heart problems, and other medical complications as a result of the trauma. One resident, Ione Kohler, has been in and out of the hospital six times in the past year, a stark contrast to her previously vibrant and active lifestyle.
Despite their best efforts to cope with the situation, the condo owners continue to face challenges and hardships. Some families are still homeless, living with relatives or sleeping on couches, while others who rented apartments saw their credit scores plummet as they struggled to pay their mortgages.
Laurel Peterson, another condo owner, shared her experience of the evacuation and the difficulties she and her family faced in finding temporary housing. The uncertainty of not knowing where they would go or what would happen next added to the stress and anxiety of the situation.
In their efforts to seek justice and compensation for their losses, the condo owners filed a lawsuit against Travelers Insurance for failing to honor their claims. However, a judge ruled against them, leaving the owners with no choice but to appeal the decision. Additionally, the city is now considering forcing the condo owners to foot the bill for the demolition of the building, adding further financial strain to an already dire situation.
The looming threat of the building’s demolition hangs over the condo owners as they await a hearing in January, where a Waukesha County judge will make a decision on the fate of Horizon West Condos. The residents, already struggling with financial difficulties and health issues, face an uncertain future as they try to rebuild their lives and move past the traumatic events of the past year.
The one-year anniversary of the evacuation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and hardships that the condo owners have faced since that fateful night. The resilience and determination of these residents in the face of adversity is a testament to the human spirit and the bonds that have formed between them in the aftermath of a crisis that changed their lives forever.
