Collapsed building has been a hot mess of delayed repairs for 20 yrs

[Demovictory9]

From more and more info coming out:

Not sure who bears most responsibility. ??? Hoa board who didnt force the issue? Home owners resistent to fees?

Maybe there were design flaws but resulting damage was identified and allowed to expand

"We have discussed debated and argued for years" said condo board letter to owner. Would the owner of a single family home sit and watch water damage expand OVER YEARS?

[BlueNProud]

1. I pretty much manage a 6 unit condo that I live in

Always amazed at how some unit owners don't see the common areas as something they are responsible for and the importance of maintaining them and keeping an eye on the building and grounds. That said all in all it's a good group and we've spent plenty getting stuff fixed up.

[XanaDUer2]

2. I'm a worrier

I would have been that pain-in-the-ass tenant complaining about the sea water in the parking garage. Looking at all the cracks and taking pictures. Contacting inspectors. But that's me. I believe in climate change

[Binkie The Clown]

3. A tragedy 20 years in the making. Wanna bet FOX blames it on Biden? nt

[FakeNoose]

11. It was built in 1981, am I right?

... with design and engineering flaws from the get-go.

[redstatebluegirl]

4. I read that the latest "assessment" for repairs was $95,000 per unit.

I know a lot of people who live in Miami are loaded, but that is a lot of money for any retiree that is not in the 1 percent range. If they didn't tell them how dire it was I can see where someone would balk at paying it.

[pwb]

5. People should be looking at the outside of buildings and basements

as much as the inside now. What we trusted in the past all needs a good look at. Deregulation is not a buildings friend.

[karynnj]

6. The house board probably changed each of those 20 years

From the comment, it sounds like at least some on the boards argued to do have a big assessment and deal with it. It also sounds like they never gained the needed support.

The city or state inspected it and they had the power to use the threat of condemning it.

[MOMFUDSKI]

9. A Board doesn't need support

as they make the decisions FOR the owners. Owners have no say in what is done or not done. Board members come and go. I think it was a simple matter of ALL the owners (including the Board members) just didn't have the money to contract for the repairs. This will fall on the Board but they should be insured against prosecution. I am not an atty but I can't help but feel the owners will sue any and all Board Members since the 2018 engineer's report if they can. Possibly in civil court?

[karynnj]

12. Not usually true on things like the budget or special assessments

in most condos, they need approval by vote of the owners. I have no idea on this one, but I doubt they can levy a special assessment without a vote.

[MOMFUDSKI]

14. You are right

My bad

[obamanut2012]

13. Owners usually vote for assessments

We do, my parents, everyone I know.

[applegrove]

7. Its' twin is in pristine shape. Management there has been on issues all the way along.

CNN cameras went and looked.

[MaryMagdaline]

8. Condo people have maybe 150 partners

It’s hard enough to agree with your spouse about how to spend your limited resources. Multiply those arguments times one hundred or more.

In a condo, you have old people who might not care about the future, investors who don’t live there and don’t want to spend on safety, crooked builders, crooked city inspectors, crooked city councils who don’t want to upset their constituents. All reasons why I never wanted to live in a condo. And NOW I am learning that concrete and steel aren’t all that. Something all engineers and architects must know but it’s been their little secret.

Better to rent. You have the power to walk without giving up your safety or your life’s investment.

No one has wanted to face any facts which hurt their bottom line.

[moondust]

10. Just keep the checks coming in, folks.

Nothing to see here. Move along.