Chicago condo building. (Photo by Dylan La Pierre of Unsplash)

The crew is still working to find residents who are not subject to follow-up Fatal Collapse of an Apartment in Surfside, Florida..

This tragedy prompted swift action in neighboring cities, including the evacuation of buildings on North Miami Beach. City managers say inspectors are working hard to protect the population.

“Of course, we can’t inspect them fast enough,” says Arthur Sorey III. “Everyone is afraid of what happened on the surfside. We are doing our best and the building department is working hard to review all the buildings and ensure the safety of all the residents. I’m out. “

Due to the collapse of the surfside, some Chicago citizens are wondering if local condominiums are at risk and the types of tests they are facing.

The Chicago Building Authority said there were too many unknowns to comment directly on the collapse of the surfside, but advertised the city’s strict building code. “All plans for high-rise development have received multiple reviews, especially from all relevant areas of structure, to ensure long-term safety. For further protection, the owner is a resident in the building. You must obtain a residence certificate with your own set of requirements before you can allow it, “the agency said in a statement.

Derek Belt, President of the Illinois Structural Engineers Association, said: “I’m sure I’m telling all the structural engineers in Illinois that this is really sad. We’re doing our whole career to keep these things from happening. Really shocking. is.”

Chris Kasten, a lawyer who works on the board of condominium and homeowners’ associations, said the collapse of the surfside, and many affected by it, is a tragedy and should be the main focus. .. “From a broader perspective, we can certainly understand where associations, unit owners, and boards across the country are wondering … can that happen within my association?” Kasten said. “I think these questions are good for raising and discussing rather than jumping to conclusions.”

Evan McKenzie is an instructor and political director at the University of Illinois Chicago Law School and author of two books on condominiums and HOA governance. He says that many condo boards are operating well, but others need more monitoring and regulation.

“Condo owners and their directors control their own level of valuation. There is insufficient regulation on what they do to secure sufficient funding,” said Mackenzie, who lacks reserves. We warned that the condos we are in are likely to postpone maintenance of important buildings.

According to Kasten, state law “requires associations to maintain reasonable reserves, but what constitutes reasonable reserves is not clearly defined … (it) is rational for a particular association. It shows the various factors that the Board considers when deciding what constitutes a good reserve. ” He also mentions that there are organizations that provide resources for condominiums and HOA boards on building safety, infrastructure, and maintenance best practices. Community Association Institute..

McKenzie will fund additional government actions at the state and federal levels, such as increasing financial transparency to future buyers and maintaining buildings, to ensure that the Condominium Management Companies operate well. I’m expecting regulations on reserves to do so. “Here in Chicago, there were hundreds of condominium associations that went bankrupt for some reason, were taken over by the courts and became trustees, and turned into apartment buildings,” he said.

Boeldt says the types of weather that Florida buildings can face, such as tropical cyclones and hurricanes, are far more extreme than the weather that Chicago structures can withstand, but with proper maintenance. Emphasizes that it is important.

“Most of the problems that arise … come from external factors: wind and snow, freeze-thaw cycles and salt sprays,” Boeldt said. “Like a single house, the sooner you fix a small problem that occurs, the easier it is to pay for any maintenance … The longer you wait, the more important (and) the cost. Will be higher. “

Note: This story will be updated in the video.

Looking at the safety of Chicago condominiums after the collapse of Florida | Chicago News

Source link Looking at the safety of Chicago condominiums after the collapse of Florida | Chicago News

>>>#ad: Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here