By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-27 17:48:40 | Updated at 2024-09-30 11:34:24
2 days ago
Elderly Florida residents are being asked to immediately leave their pricey condos behind as officials warn of 'structural problems' with the building's foundation.
Springbrook Gardens is pushing the 12 residents to to evacuate by Friday - leaving many in distress as they scramble to find a new place to stay.
Eviction notices have been plastered across the 18-unit building after an engineer told the city's building department that the foundations in one of the sections are in bad condition and could collapse any time.
'Everybody was in shock. It hasn't hit me yet, it really hasn't. [We were told] building is unsafe, get the hell out,' said Warren Sackler, a retired New York professor.
The warning comes shortly after it was revealed that faulty support columns in the tenant garage and pool deck led to the collapse of Champlain Towers South, Miami in 2021 - resulting in the death of 98 people.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is pushing Springbrook Gardens homeowners to evacuate today afternoon - leaving many in distress and scrambling to find a new place to stay
A few residents also revealed that they received an evacuation letter from an engineering company just yesterday morning.
'When we got up, we got a letter from the engineer being sent over to the city telling the city to come down to evacuate us immediately because the winds are more than 35 miles an hour and the wind may blow it down,' Thomas Murphy told WSVN.
Since the engineer's report, the Certificate of Occupancy for Springbrook Gardens has been revoked by city officials till 'necessary structural repairs can be made to ensure the safety of residents', according to NBC6.
'I don't think they can fix the building. The engineer told us that just one part is $1 million to fix. We don't know what the grand total is to fix everything,' Sackler revealed.
According to Douglas Elliman, a four bed and five bath condo currently costs $1,499,999 in this 1978 building.
Sackler also revealed that he paid $370,000 for a one-bedroom unit in 2007 and bought the unit next door for $358,000 in 2016.
A few residents also revealed that they received an evacuation letter from an engineering company just yesterday morning
'Everybody was in shock. It hasn't hit me yet, it really hasn't. [We were told] building is unsafe, get the hell out,' said Warren Sackler, a retired New York professor
According to Douglas Elliman , a four bed and five bath condo currently costs $1,499,999 in this 1978 building
While the professor has 'lucked out' and found another apartment to stay in across the street, many are still struggling to find homes as Hurricane Helene continues its rampage in the state.
'Some people are not even here. I would say out of 18 units, five or six people are out of town right now. This is their second home,' he said.
Fort spokeswoman Ashley Doussard has confirmed that there are about a dozen living in the building and the city is the trying to connect them with resources to find a place to stay.
'There's only 12 people living there right now. Some of the residents are snowbirds,' she told Sun Sentinel.
While the professor has 'lucked out' and found another apartment to stay in across the street, many are still struggling to find homes as Hurricane Helene continues its rampage in the state
Faulty support columns in the tenant garage and pool deck led to the collapse of Champlain Towers South, Miami in 2021, killing 98
Despite a lack of alternative housing options, there may be hope for those intending to leave Florida and relocate to other parts of the country.
Earlier today morning, Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport reopened after staff members determined the airports had not sustained significant damage from the hurricane.
While many incoming flights are scarce, no departing flights appeared cancelled on in St. Pete airport, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
It remains unclear when repairs of the building will begin and if the evacuated residents will receive any compensation.
