KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tenants at an apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri, sat outside as temperatures rose into the 90s on Monday due to the building’s air conditioning going out.
Some relief arrived in the afternoon for those who live at Gabriel Towers, near East 16th Street and Jackson Avenue. KCMO City Council members and RideKC worked to bring buses to the building for tenants to sit in to cool down.
Before the buses arrived, tenants were protesting and demanding action from the company that manages the complex, The Millennia Companies.
"Everybody down here is suffering,” said Tyler, who lives in the apartment complex. “The heat has been unbearable for weeks.”
The Kansas City Health Department arrived on Monday to address the complaints. Senior Public Health Manager Naser Jouhari said that the chiller was fixed on Thursday, but only worked for one day.
"Then on Saturday, the pump went out,” Jouhari said. “Because of the conditions we have here, we had to order a new pump.”
People who live in the building said it is unacceptable to live that way.
"We don't want to hear anymore promises, we want some air,” said James, who lives in the building. “They came over here and offered us ice cream and water. We don't want ice cream, we want some air conditioning.”
The part needed to repair the air conditioning was ordered but will not arrive until Wednesday. The company that runs the complex said a room has been set up with fans to help residents stay cool.
"We are going to do the best we can to help each other out,” James said. “Cool each other off and keep being out here until something is done.”
Representatives from the KCMO Health Department have visited Gabriel Towers seven times this year to address complaints.
"Mainly mold and water leakage,” Jouhari said. “We have some infestation, bed bugs, roaches.”
