A Shanghai community in the Gumei Road area has successfully completed the replacement of 33 aging elevators with an average construction time of just 26 days, solving a long-standing problem for residents who relied on single-elevator buildings.

The Dongyuan Bandao Garden complex, part of the Pingji Sancun residential area, has been standing for over 20 years. All its buildings are equipped with just one elevator each. Under constant heavy use, the elevators aged rapidly and broke down frequently, causing significant inconvenience for residents.

Last year, the community first replaced three old elevators, gaining practical experience. This June, another 33 units were upgraded in batches. By late July, the final batch passed inspection and was put into service. Within less than two months, the community eliminated the problem of "one elevator breakdown halting the entire building."

Addressing the Single-Elevator Challenge with Public Opinion First

The biggest difficulty in single-elevator renovation is the lack of a backup elevator during construction, which puts immense pressure on residents living on upper floors. Issues such as noise complaints, construction duration, cost sharing, and ensuring access for special-needs residents can easily cause conflicts, said the community party secretary.

To tackle this, the project began with a focus on public opinion and advance planning. In December, the community launched a comprehensive survey of residents' willingness to upgrade, with staff visiting every household to explain government subsidy policies and disclose maintenance fund allocations. They responded to residents' concerns about timelines, elevator brands, and noise reduction measures.

In January, the party branch led multiple special consultation meetings involving the residents' committee, homeowners' association, property management, elevator construction and agent units, and resident representatives. They agreed on staggered construction schedules, travel guarantees for residents, and on-site safety management rules. A weekly joint meeting system was established to ensure residents' rights to information and supervision.

Property management simultaneously upgraded old hallway lighting and cleared fire escape obstructions to ensure safe passage during construction. The community identified households with special needs, such as a 90-year-old requiring regular medical care and students preparing for important exams. The homeowners' association set up a dedicated service ledger for elderly, disabled, and chronically ill residents, creating personalized convenience plans to prevent potential conflicts.

Scientific Batch Scheduling for Quality and Speed

The elevator upgrade project officially launched on June 1st. The 33 elevators were divided into four batches for staggered construction, with an average completion time of just 26 days. Since both old and new elevators were from the same brand, the construction team reused components like guide rails and ceramic safety clamps that passed safety inspections, effectively shortening the renovation period.

With all residents' consent, low-noise testing was conducted on weekends, while high-noise tasks like cutting and demolition were scheduled outside rest hours to minimize disturbance. On-site management was meticulous, with designated areas for construction waste, timely removal, and strict dust control. Materials arrived on the same day for installation, and old elevator scrap was removed immediately to prevent parking disputes.

After construction, the agent unit and property staff worked overtime to prepare inspection materials and expedite testing, ensuring a seamless transition from demolition to installation, testing, and safety certification. This allowed residents to use the new elevators as soon as possible.

Warm Support Throughout the Process

During the elevator construction period, climbing stairs became a daily routine for residents. The community formed a convenience support team, available 24/7 to address urgent needs. The homeowners' association acted as a "liaison station," using WeChat groups for real-time feedback to adjust construction plans. Community staff served as errand runners, delivering medicine and supplies to elderly residents with mobility issues. Property management daily delivered packages and removed trash for those unable to climb stairs.

When a resident was injured at home, the support team immediately accompanied them to the hospital and handled paperwork. When a third-floor elderly resident needed medical care, the property manager arranged for security guards to carefully carry the wheelchair-bound resident up and down the stairs. These small acts of care filled the gap left by the elevators' absence.

After the new elevators were put into service, many residents voluntarily thanked the community, saying they had expected the renovation period to be difficult, but found that help was always available, making the stair-climbing days warm.

The elevator renovation is not the end. Long-term maintenance is the key to ensuring lasting public welfare. The community plans to establish a dedicated maintenance mechanism for single elevators, including regular inspections, standardized upkeep, and safety education. Using a smart elevator digital platform, they will monitor equipment status in real-time to prevent malfunctions and ensure travel safety.