|
Displaced Condo Residents Going Home |
|
|
|
|
Written by Raul Estrada
|
|
Wednesday, 26 July 2006 |
MIAMI BEACH -- Local 10 has learned the end could be in sight for hundreds of residents who were forced out of their condominiums 15 months ago.
Two owners on the condo association board at the Castle Beach Club have been told 25 percent of the owners will be allowed to move back sometime in August. They were also told all of the 576 units at Castle Beach should be finished by the end of November.
"I've been out of my apartment for 15 months," said Robert Berman, the owner of a two-bedroom condo and treasurer of the condo association board. "I can't wait to get back." Berman was allowed to take a look at the reconstruction today.
Residents were forced out on April 14, 2005, because of structural and electrical problems. The building was condemned.
Repairs were delayed because of battles with the condo association's former Board of Directors and the court-appointed receiver in charge of assets. Residents even sued three former members of the board, saying they knew of the building's mounting problems and ignored them. Hurricane Wilma caused further damage to the Castle Beach Club last October.
For the past six months, work has been going on at least six days a week. And the receiver was replaced by an attorney for the condo association board, Joseph Ganguzza, an expert in resolving condominium problems.
"The first priority was life safety issues," Ganguzza said. "After that, we then took care of the cosmetic and aesthetic issues."
Electrical wiring has been replaced, as have fire sprinklers and alarms. The air conditioning system has been repaired. And problems with mold have been resolved. What was first estimated to be a $10 million project has grown to $25 million.
The Castle Beach Club's insurance policy may pay for some of it. But that's not clear. So owners have also helped fund the reconstruction through a special assessment. They've also had to keep paying their mortgages, taxes and maintenance fees of a few hundred dollars a month.
Cari Amores, who lives in Miami Springs but owns a condo as a second home, said "I've really missed it. I'm looking forward to enjoying it again." She and Berman are among the 25 percent expecting their condos to be ready next month.
Berman said, "In September, 25 percent more will return, the same in October and November."
Castle Beach was once the home of the Playboy Club. Berman said Playboy founder Hugh Hefner used to own a condo at Castle Beach. Berman said 80 of the 576 units are occupied by owners. He said the rest are owned by investors or those like Amores wanting a second home.
Looking out from his ground-floor, ocean-front condo, Berman said, "You can't beat a view like this. There's nothing like it. I miss it."
www.local10.com/news/9530251/detail.html
|
