Condo Residents In Waukesha Got 15 Minute Evacuation Notice

WAUKESHA, WI — Alicia Halvensleben is still trying to process the whirlwind of being told to pack up her belongings and leave her condo of almost six years within 15 minutes.

Halvensleben and other residents of Horizon West Condominium Homes, 315 N. West Ave., were evacuated Thursday night because officials feared the 48-unit building was in danger of collapsing.

Neighboring properties at 323 N. West Ave. and 307 N. West Ave. were also evacuated.

The Waukesha Fire Department cited deteriorating structural conditions and an "imminent threat of collapse due to compromised conditions of existing structural columns," according to a city news release.

Construction work was underway on the building, Halvensleben told Patch.

"They were removing the balconies, and I'm assuming part of that process was checking on the state of the building. I guess whatever happened [Thursday], they must have discovered something," she said.

Construction has been going on for months, Halvensleben said. She questioned the evacuation at such a late hour.

"What happened that was so immediate in that moment? We knew there were issues with the balconies. We were never told there would be issues with the building," she said.

Halvensleben had spent $13,000 to have the balcony removed, she added.

"We spent all this money to do that and keep staying there. Now we can't even stay there," she said.

Running For Office

Halvensleben recently announced that she was running for alderwoman in District 11.

"This is my first time running for office. I'm hoping this doesn't completely derail my campaign," she said.

Candidates must live in the district they intend to represent. Not knowing where she will be living has put everything up in the air, she said.

"I'm hoping we will have news that we can go back in the condo," she said.

Halvensleben's campaign is a little lower on her priority list right now, she said. Her main objective right now is finding housing.

Moving In 15 Minutes

Halvensleben's boyfriend, whom she declined to identify, was working from home and heard a knock on the door that everyone was being cleared out. The couple were given 15 minutes to grab whatver belongings they could.

"I raced home, and in true Waukesha fashion, I was stuck behind a train," she said.

The couple grabbed clothing and toiletries, not knowing when or if they would be able to return. She shoved things into a suitcase as fast as she could, she said.

Halvensleben laughed at herself for grabbing shorts in December. There was no time to ponder over valuables.

"It's weird. It's like [being in] a fire, but things are destroyed. They are there waiting for us," Halvensleben said of the rest of her belongings.

Police and fire personnel went door to door in the building, she said.

"I'm so thankful they were there. They helped get people out and lifting things," she said.

The building housed many empty nesters, people with disabilities and families with children, she said.

"Trying to get those type of people out can be difficult. We just had to get our cat," she said.

During the rush to evacuate everyone, people in the halls remained calm. Halvensleben said no one was screaming or crying; they were just trying to get out as quickly as possible.

"People filed out and stood together. We all thought, 'This sucks.' But we are in it together," she said.

The Salvation Army of Waukesha was assisting families with immediate housing needs.

Halvensleben and her boyfriend were able to find accommodations with his mother.

"I don't know what happens after tonight. We were told two nights. We don't know what happens tomorrow," she said.

Patch reached out the city of Waukesha and the fire department Friday for more information.