Condo Collapse: Former Maintenance Staff Manager Was Concerned About Saltwater Intrusion

Jim DeFede reports William Espinosa said he was stunned when he saw the images of the condominium collapse in Surfside.

[@ombreleather]

I owned a condo in FT. Lauderdale in a building right on the sand so close to the water you could count the fish. We had spalling and concrete pieces falling off under our pool deck and garage for much of the time I owned my unit. Finally at the 40 year certification the consultants report indicated that major refurbishment was needed, the city also stated if the work wasn’t done they would condemn the parking garage. This finally got the majority of owners to capitulate and agree to a Special Assessment to cover the 5 million dollars it would take to refurbish the complete pool deck and single parking structure. I write this to say unit owners always fight like hell to not pay special assessments until sometimes it’s too late, like it was unfortunately for Champlain Towers. I was a seasonal owner and was not allowed to rent it out to cover some expenses. I sold it in 2017 and I am glad I did. I’ll never buy a condo on the ocean again, it’s too expensive and now also too risky. Better to buy a house and take care of your own property…just my two cents and may God have mercy on those poor souls that lost their lives.

[@MaxItUpwithMarta]

You are right. Luxury highrises are a thing of the past. The new luxury is to own a plot of land with a house on it in a QUIET single family zone. Soon these homes will be what castles are now. They will be impossible to own.

[@krisb-travel]

5 million? jeez... im assuming that cost goes to the unit owners? how much was the bill for each unit?

[@cybervigilante]

@@MaxItUpwithMarta Blackrock is making sure of that by buying up homes at 20% over cost with money from the FED. You won't be able to own a home pretty soon, and be a rent slave. It's their Plan.

[@Davilow]

For the amount of money that you have to pay to own a condo + the homeowners association fees you can own a house that has a yard, pool and garage and you don't have to deal ever-increasing association fees and having them dictate what you can and can't do.

[@jayp7936]

Exactly what I’ve been thinking..

[@DirectionlessStudent]

Everyone wanting to blame "the man" for this, but if you have ever owned a condo you know better. Why did the condo association board not pay for proper repairs? Almost certainly because the individual condo OWNERS did not want to pay a large assessment to carry out the work. The board works at the behest of the owners, and their hands are often tied because the majority of owners always want to take the cheap way out. The same thing happens in nearly every condo complex in the US. It's like a micro version of US infrastructure -- most taxpayers do not want to pay more taxes to fix bridges and such until one collapses near them. Then all of a sudden everyone is crying about the bridge not being repaired properly and acting like they have nothing to do with the fact that there was no money to do so. Maintenance costs money, but if you don't maintain things, they tend to fall apart over time. There are buildings, bridges, water mains, gas mains, and more all over this country waiting to fall apart because everyone wants to kick the repair bill can down the road to future generations. The bill WILL come due.

[@frankcrank6262]

All that you wrote is true, and another thing to remember is that people choose cheap to begin with; society does not understand the difference between price and value. In construction, buildings built in the early 20th century were designed to have a lifespan of at least 100 years. After WWII, that lifespan dropped to 50 years, and today there are buildings with lifespans of 25 years! The society of the past understood that lowest price does not equal best value, they knew that building things right from the beginning with longevity and value in mind might mean a higher initial cost, but look at what they built; today there are 100 year old buildings in better shape than 10 year old ones! We need to once again understand that the best value always wins over time, not the lowest price.

[@jimbo7577]

So, if our infrastructure is failing, it's because the greedy taxpayers aren't paying enough? No, this is what happens in a socialist country like the USA currently is. Never enough money because the federal and local government becomes bloated, corrupt, and throttles the real economy with their fake money printing and their endless wars. When American was free and taxes were low, we didn't have crumbling infrastructure. Get used to living in the third world, and remember, when you vote for more GOV, you will get higher inflation, because there are not enough productive people or jobs left. Sorry...

[@DirectionlessStudent]

@@jimbo7577 Well since we still vote the assholes into power, we are ultimately responsible, right? You can argue that it's about misappropriation or misallocation of funds, but we decide who does the allocating. It seems Americans would rather continue to spend more than the next 20 countries combined on defense, but fixing bridges is a low priority, right? Ultimately, the responsibility lies with us.

[@edwardsisson3580]

Just think... if we didn't throw away billions of dollars how much we would have for our own country

[@recyclespinning9839]

Okay so let's say that you're right and the owners didn't want the special assessment.. the monthly assessments on this property probably 800 per month... do the math and you'll find out that in about 10 years each tenant probably paid couple hundred thousands $$$ into the assessments ,, so what did the management do with all that money??????

[@idontcare1481]

So everyone who stays in a high rise should question and look around for exposed rebar, cracking walls, constant flooding and maybe ask for last inspection report before paying for the condominium either for a short term stay or long term. Be your own advocate

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Yes indeed especially if you're near Ocean where a lot of salt water and sea air is

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

@@RichBuddy 💯

[@buttaflyantics8618]

👏🏽👏🏽

[@Isalala3000]

The issue started with the way the pool deck was designed in the first place. That’s the DEVELOPER! Go after the deep pockets and the original sin!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@Isalala3000 1981 Lisa this was the Miami cocaine construction boom. when Colombian drug cartels were funneling money left and right laundering money using construction businesses as a front and the mob was in on it too. In 1980 they dropped in order to build up Miami more the rules for building high-rises people didn't think about what would happen decades later now they're finding out. It took the devastation and the brains after hurricane Andrew to finally draft different kinds of codes and materials that could be used for building high-rises the ones post hurricane Andrew 1994 and up are very structurally sound because they're built a whole different way. Just like a lot of the old Miami or basically coastline places where the building standards were still strong prior to 1971 and 1980 when they were dropped. Basically 1971 the mob started building Florida and by 1980 the Colombian cocaine construction was in full swing

[@johnburrows1179]

I’m in this business. I explain to associations all the time why they need to fix cracks, rebar etc etc. They don’t want to spend the $$$. They’ll spend 90% of their budget on landscaping, yet let everything else go to hell. Then they’ll hire a $12 hr maintenance guy or handyman to try and fix. They don’t know what they’re doing. This is the result

[@styldsteel1]

That's just sad. I gotta say, the condo I just moved out of, this board was pretty responsible. Granted, the complex was landlocked, but they replaced all the roofs, (buildings are from 1972), satellite dish TV was absolutely forbidden. There are good HOAs out there. ( Edited to say landlocked and didn't have to deal with salt Water)

[@beverlywatkins8711]

Sadly, it's all about the $$$.

[@colenexoxo8939]

@@styldsteel1 Ours is as well. Same thing. Roofs, balconies. Very happy about that. This situation was horrible. I just can't imagine Dear Lord.😪🙏💔

[@styldsteel1]

@@colenexoxo8939 I agree. Nor should we ever have to.

[@Carolesoriginalpieces]

@@beverlywatkins8711 yep it always is.

[@daniellesnyder7734]

Finally, a reporter who has done his homework! 😊

[@debi909]

Prayers for him and all those coming forward to what many of us thought ~,~ Blessings Everyone!!

[@brian954]

He’s been a “no f’s given” hard hitting investigative reporter down here for decades.

[@g00nther]

@@brian954 Yes, I went to university in Miami. I remember reading him in the New Times, before he moved to the Herald. Glad to see he's still around and doing good work.

[@pissoff9399]

WHERE?

[@SumAnonymousAcapella]

He got his homework from youtube comments

[@m.lambey7427]

If one building have problems they need to inspect all those buildings in that area.

[@lindajackson4631]

Absolutely

[@ThatOGShelby]

Definitely and people living in the sister tower down the street from the Champlain need to be evacuated.

[@waitaminute2015]

The party is over for MB. Warnings of sea level rise underground have been politicized and ignored. It's no longer viable to live there.

[@bellebellebelle5485]

All the buildings built in the 70s, 80s and even 90s should be inspected, or torn down and rebuilt or reinforced.

[@XxhairainbowsugarxX]

Find out what contractors did that pool area and see what other condos they worked out. Bet they are having similar issues

[@curiousk9603]

Once salt water gets through cracks in concrete, it spreads out to many pieces of rebar that are hidden from view.

[@royaldiadem_]

It’s not hidden because the cracked concrete is the result of it. So the cracks is the only evidence you need. They didn’t care. They only cared about the money plain and simple.

[@GMW.artist]

Usually that isn't a problem, but in this instance the building was constantly water-logged, so never had a chance to dry out...

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

@@RichBuddy Why lie on dead people...you don’t know that? If so what is your source?

[@STV-H4H]

@@greenearthblueskies8556 the example given is this video you dolt. The property management committees are made up of each investor as well as a property management firm to carry out required repairs and maintenance. Because the reality of every homeowner who wants to keep both highest value as well as lowest annual expenses means they one and all had part in putting off a more than likely millions of dollars project because that’s how this type of rationale goes. Living on the ocean is desirable. It’s a costly privilege and saving your cash to keep driving a new car or wear designer clothes to keep up appearances using always more important than fixing what isn’t broke.

[@corazoncubano5372]

@@greenearthblueskies8556 What else could it be besides money that would cause anyone not choose to make important repairs. In this case it is highly probable that the 15 mil repair cost was the root of their hesitancy. Sad. Very sad.

[@skinnycat3899]

My parents had condo in Sarasota that was on and sometimes in the Gulf of Mexico. One board president forced a special assessment to drive pilings 50 feet into the sand and filled concrete behind it to protect the property. That was 30 years ago when the work was completed. That property to this day is solid and safe as can be. You get what you pay for and pay for what you get.

[@1mama402]

This guy does a great job of explaining the process in layman’s terms.

[@faithnaidoo7647]

This is criminal.!!!!!Love of money over concern for lives!!!!!.The owner must be prosecuted for each precious life lost.Each living person who suffered must be compensated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edmessina8392]

and he explained it without sounding condescending at all....just the facts.

[@sewergal1]

Agreed!

[@RaymondHng]

Why isn't he on the national news?

[@maureen14]

@@mopoweruponlyup5032 Please stop commenting that.

[@pokellaa]

Their excuse is "we were trying to get ready to pass inspection ", they should be locked away...

[@bdubs532]

Greed and trash planning is a vicious cycle

[@mkevicus1755]

They all should be prosecuted, landlord, owner’s, engineers, everyone involved, and charge with murder.

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

@@mkevicus1755 But, isn’t a condominium owned by the residents?

[@warnervaughan9241]

Yes it is owned by the residents

[@juliannafarrow4796]

The building is owned by the residents, who own their unit, and share ownership of the common areas. There is a board of managers responsible for maintenance and upkeep. These are the people that are going to be arrested for murder.

[@BBINGHAM032352]

This building should have been completely evacuated and demolished long before it collapsed.

[@alicehallam8247]

Agree. Thank you.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

If this is what caused or contributed to the collapse then; This is beyond negligence, It's criminal gross negligence...

[@ryanfraser167]

You don't even know what caused the collapse and your already looking to convict? God help any defendant who has you as a juror...

[@Mr.Ekshin]

@@RichBuddy - The owners are... the people who live there. It's a condo association made up entirely of the residents. And they were facing a $15million renovation project. So in essence, they've been trying to get each and every resident to cough up about $50,000. I'm guessing that ain't easy.

[@maryrenaud6732]

The owners, according to news reports, resisted paying the major assessment [$9 million in 2018/$15 million today] needed for repairs, ever since the original 2018 report. Almost the entire board (volunteer unpaid residents) resigned in 2019 because neither the residents nor the Board would agree on the assessment nor the action to be taken. Some may have sold their units…I sure would have. Every Board relies on hired professionals to make recommendations, yet news reports state not one of these ever said your building could collapse, including a building inspector from Surfside who came to a community meeting after the 2018 structural engineering report. I have to say this will wake up everyone in south Florida to the fact that a Condo Board must make the hard decisions even if they go against what residents “want.” Boards typically do NOT need residents to agree on implementing safety or urgent maintenance repairs and they must do it even in the absence of resident approval, even if very large assessments are needed. No resident vote is required, only that of the Board. If the Board was not sure about this they could have asked their attorney for guidance in this difficult situation. Still everyone needs to recognize Board members are non Professional volunteers who happen to own a unit in the community. The professional property managers, the construction repair crews, the hired structural engineers, the town building inspectors, all needed to push these folks with clear language that they will lose their occupancy permit if repairs do not commence within a reasonable time period (6 months?). I bet this will happen NOW. My heart goes out to everyone who lost family members or friends. I am praying for their comfort and peace and for the souls of the dead.✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏

[@maryrenaud6732]

@@Mr.Ekshin so true, although at $15 million/136 units = $110,000+ average per unit. Probably scaled to unit square footage. This is a very tough scenario for everyone and I agree some type of loan arrangement over 10 or 20 years would be needed. Very sad story!

[@nildaluzrodriguez]

Yup. Lawsuits on the waaaay.

[@pcdude2394]

I wanted to buy a high rise condo when I retire. But with this tragic failure, I’ll stick to a small single story home.

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3167]

No kidding

[@anthonymunoz7024]

That's where I stay in a house no condo here

[@adamarlem9863]

Yes, mobile homes are good too.

[@jillybean3688]

@@adamarlem9863 yes I think I'm going to lean more towards a mobile home when I get older

[@PC_TV_73]

Yup me to,and florida bound but now ll just get a single family home

[@chodkowski01]

That HOA was aware of all these problems and they need to be investigated. My HOA is the same, they want the title and power but not the responsibility.

[@vaderthekittenchannel1979]

🎯

[@hvacexplained9341]

HOA = Bunch of Karen’s

[@laurabaca9683]

Those fees are mandatory, the HOA is responsible for all maintenance.

[@brandiearmitagefrancisfran9888]

City and state officials also need to be held accountable too. Because there was an absolute failure by both city and state officials to recognize the severity of the problems in this condominium and to force the homeowners association to do something about it or just outright condemn the building but no instead we have a hundred dead innocent people because of the failure of both the HOA and the government.

[@waitaminute2015]

Maybe he didn't understand the urgency, and maybe residents didn't want to pay. Alot of things could have been happening. Looks like it should have been condemned, idk, but no one person alone is in charge of the building. Sea level rise underground hasten all maintenance, but people have been denying this and politicizing it . How many people have to die before we realize MB is no longer a viable place to live?

[@phoenixrises1982]

I don’t understand how these residents just continued living in the condo! If I saw concrete cracking and exposed rebar that would be enough for me to move out. It’s common sense

[@Moksoory1]

More like hindsight. I bet you wouldn’t.

[@phoenixrises1982]

@@Moksoory1 I work in construction industry. Some cracking in concrete is normal but having exposed rebar and cracks all over the building would definitely send me running.

[@kmw4359]

Not everyone realizes the severity or understands it.

[@phoenixrises1982]

@@kmw4359 I agree with you 100%, but someone in that building must’ve worked in construction/engineering at one point in their life. I’m finding it hard to understand how residents saw rebar, cracks and chunks of concrete falling off and just continued living there as if it wasn’t a big deal.

[@zubuxstein]

@@phoenixrises1982 And not ONE picture ANYWHERE of the flooded parking lot. This is a case of the elephant in the room and everybody looking the other way. That salt water (gallons and gallons for many many years) has to zip/go somewhere and seeing all the exposed parking rebar, easy to figure out into the foundation.

[@EmeraldEdge72]

This is exactly how I like things explained! Long thorough with lots of detail in one sitting!

[@initiald22]

It's like having the doctor putting a bandaid on a gun shot wound.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

Well said and good comparison... Criminal gross negligence, they knew about the problem, and chose to ignore it due to expense...

[@icevencedora8700]

Literally I saw pics of the basement garage and there was yellow tape holding the crack in the CONCRETE, together. They used yellow tape to hold a large crack/ hole in a brick cement wall ! Are you serious?? Somebody was being lazy for too long

[@mushroomgirl05]

yes exactly

[@puddincup9879]

Oh boy, this is going to be a legal mess. Condolences to the victims and families!

[@24KinfO]

You can't take the government to court.

[@PK-mm8zc]

This was a demolition job. Insurance $$ will pay out everyone + more for the owners. The entire BLDG will be demolished.Land worth $$$ Owners make $50,000,000.

[@sitahsinrva]

this is a sincere PUN. I know it's not the time but well played Puddin Cup

[@rcpmac]

@@PK-mm8zc Do you know what a condo is? Residents are the owners Also demonstrable neglect - ignoring the engineer's report from 3 years ago can give the insurance co grounds to deny a claim

[@optimusprime3413]

legal mess for sure to include some very expensive settlement issues. Condolences indeed to the victims and families.

[@edwardharrison9714]

I've done high-rise restoration and waterproofing for over 40 years on the Gulf Coast, when the salt water penetration of the support columns and balcony slabs is not addressed, concrete starts spalding very quickly and there's a lot more damage then you can see on the surface

[@gerrycrisostomo6571]

When the rebars inside the concrete columns, walls and floors expand, that means they are rusting or corroding very badly. And rusting means that the bars are deteriorating and become weaker and weaker and unable to hold weight. It is totally different from the thermal expansion where the metal simply expands because of high temperature. In this case, the iron combines with oxygen in a process called oxidation which increase the size of the rusting bars. What's worse is when they expand, they break the concrete around them, further compromising the ability of the structure to resist stress, ultimately leading to building collapse.

[@willschultz5452]

Yes and I believe that is exactly what happened

[@gerrycrisostomo6571]

@@willschultz5452 Yes we are correct. I was actually reacting to what the news reporter Jim DeFede was saying at 3:40 that the rebars were subjected to saltwater intrusion only AFTER the concrete spalled and the rebars were not deteriorating but just expanding. LOL! I think he does not know what he was saying. The rebars were already being attacked by saltwater that seeped into the porous concrete even BEFORE the concrete spalled. That's is the reason why the rebars corroded very badly and expanded, causing the concrete to spall since saltwater is many times more corrosive than fresh water. The concrete probably was not treated with waterproofing chemical that could have prevented saltwater seepage.

[@toninocars]

All that means that most of the buildings around will suffer similar failure if they are built similarly, just about time .

[@toLothair2]

My thoughts exactly, rebar rusting causes spalling, spalling isn't the reason the rebar rusted. And they need to look at inspections of work done since 2018, and what type of concrete mix was used. It gets me that so many people are glad to hear from this "expert". He is no expert, he is a news reader.

[@aedinquinn8687]

Thank you thermal expansion & corrosion explanation. How did the saltwater enter the building? Aedin

[@chrisullery3386]

This is 100% on the condo board of directors.

[@JaymeSplendid]

It's also because of shoddy regulations of the early 80's that where severely corrupt at the time. When the city began its growth boom of the late 70's and early 80's (Do to coke money and the attempts to wash it with legit businesses like construction AND property management) the city board ended up releasing the restrictions on some of its regulations in order to get more people investing into the city. So here we are 30+ years later with water levels rising around Florida's coastal regions, crumbling infrastructure all over America and corporations taken over as landlords who care more about money coming in than the lives that live under their property mixed with the 80's corrupt local political system tied into money washing and end up with this mess.

[@401Impala]

AKA the owners themselves.

[@kimbrown5024]

@@JaymeSplendid All I know is, if I lived in a highrise in that area, I would pack my bags, leave, and find a nice little house or one story place to live in..

[@RaymondHng]

@@401Impala Not every owner of a unit is on a condo board. The board of directors of a condominium association number from six-to-twelve members. They are voted in by the owners of the units.

[@401Impala]

@@RaymondHng Like i said, the owners themselves.

[@rrrskkk2010]

that is why its hard to find a good maintenance man nobody listens to them.

[@mariacarolinaperalta1937]

So true

[@FireCracker3240]

Finding good maintenance techs is generally extremely difficult, but one that will stay on after using band-aid after band-aid to fix a gaping wound of a building? It's just not possible.

[@AsIseeitPattiDail]

sinking buildings and sinkholes are caused by the underground tunnels! Underground tunnels obviously weaken the foundations of buildings and roads , above ground!

[@selah71]

Too many property managers and/or owners don't want to invest in preventive maintenance, nor do they appreciate good maintenance technicians. My husband is a maintenance supervisor now for over 600 apartments and management depends on him to actually keep everything maintained and in excellent condition. A far cry from other properties he worked at that basically wants corners cut and have things repaired with duct tape and/or bs. Then management gets upset over, for example, a grease fire because the stove hood vent filter had *never* been replaced since the building was built years ago. He told them but they didn't want to purchase filters. Cheap sob's, to say the least. Fortunately no one was injured or worse. I can imagine the frustration the maintenance tech went through from having to deal with *flooding sea water* and *pumps breaking down* all the time, let alone it never getting resolved. SMH

[@OssyMunoz1]

@@selah71 1000% True , Its Always About the Money . Not to say they don’t have The Money to Fix things that need repairs because they do . They usually say just send me an estimate . 5 years later same issue . See it all the time .

[@gtiguy727]

The water “disappeared” in a massive sink hole under the garage. High tide; flooded garage. Low tide; water “disappears”. Slowly eroding bearing soil. Cracks appearing in the concrete amounts to tensile stress (bending) it wasnt designed for. Eventually the building collapses into the sink hole. Someone should have asked a geotechnical engineer very simple question….why does the garage keep flooding with seawater?

[@johnbrowneyes7534]

He said the cars would float!

[@gtiguy727]

@@johnbrowneyes7534 To see my car floating would have been all the warning I needed. Unfortunately no one took it seriously.

[@waitaminute2015]

Exactly

[@bionicpuma2920]

No evidence of a sink hole.

[@gtiguy727]

@@bionicpuma2920 Really?

[@wmgthilgen]

One should NEVER FORGET, any and all building's, bridges etc etc regardless of public or private; Is ALWAYS built by the lowest bidder.

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

With inspectors and engineers watching them the whole way

[@orionpax3535]

But we need to deregulate safety laws!

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

@@orionpax3535 Building codes??? Who ever said that or asked for that? C'mon man

[@caseyriggs2633]

Exactly and a bullshit race track schedule too!

[@agasd67654asdga]

Not unless it's a government contract...then by default they choose the slowest and highest bidder!

[@nikkic3825]

Lawsuits are coming from the survivors along with the families of the dead. There's no one way out

[@jimcook2715]

The survivers and the victims were all aware of the problems as well and chose to do nothing

[@bootscooty]

No way out for nobody

[@AsIseeitPattiDail]

sinking buildings and sinkholes are caused by the underground tunnels! Underground tunnels obviously weaken the foundations of buildings and roads , above ground!

[@garyschultz7768]

declare bankruptcy & walk away

[@ludvigwittgenstein6469]

@@jimcook2715 blaming the victims? pathetic

[@stevenj9970]

Great reporting JIM. kudos to the hosts for not interrupting with stupid questions or comments, let the experts speak.

[@wjrasmussen666]

I was surprised that they didn't do that!

[@teresaacevedo1731]

Jim is a fantastic reporter ! I’ve been reading his writings for 25 plus years .

[@JesusLovesBest]

Yes! We need much more of this kind of reporting.

[@markmossinghoff8185]

They might ask stupid questions but their hair and make-up always look nice.

[@stevenj9970]

@@markmossinghoff8185 I agree that’s all that matters these days, forget contact at the hosts pretty

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

No one ever listens to the people who actually know.

[@ElementalDB]

nope they would rather wait until there is a major issue. this is a prime example of someone thinking they knew more than the inspector in 2018

[@Alvan81]

@@ElementalDB They don't really think they know better, they just cant/won't spend the large amounts of $$$ needed to _fix_ things.

[@ElementalDB]

@@Alvan81 either scenario is disgusting

[@Alvan81]

@@ElementalDB *Agreed* for the most part. But if _your_ apt/home needed 130 to 200 thousands of Dollars in repairs, would you be able to pay it? Most people can't; that's probably why they couldn't get an "OK' vote. Still, the key for Condo bldgs, is to get _ahead_ of the 'pain'. Maybe 20 yrs ago, they could've fixed things for 1/4th the Cost!_

[@Alvan81]

@@ElementalDB Imagine buying one of these Units in 2010-2018 for $500-700k then getting hit, a couple years later for a Six Figure repair assesment...🤑 Cluster Fk all the way around.

[@moonshinefuel]

This has to bring to question how many more aging oceanfront buildings are needing to be looked at. Yikes.

[@kevinmoore.7426]

The thing was built on a sand spit

[@miciboo9993]

All this built sloppy in the 70’s by cocaine money

[@winecrimesfoodandtime7119]

@@miciboo9993 80s

[@isitmeeTV]

They shouldn't be allowed to hire their own inspector. They didn't even take his advice.

[@TheBooban]

@@JKHTX sounds like what regular folks do with problems they don’t comprehend. I thought there should be regular city inspectors, or that inspector should be required to inform the city or something so something really gets done.

[@martinsnibbor7691]

This Engineer that wrote the report called it like he saw it. He will be a witness to a crime. I’m a fire life safety inspector I was subpoenaed to court because of an injury a firefighter obtained fighting a fire that would not of grown to an uncontrollable size had the property managers corrected my findings. The firefighter won.

[@aremedyproject9569]

@@TheBooban You can bet the city knew.

[@juggernautz]

@@aremedyproject9569 I suspect the larger government grows, and the further from We The People government is, the more things can be ignored.

[@Garth2011]

Neither should the local city and the county...they all approved the construction with their city inspectors and the millions the builder paid in building permits.

[@clairelowry9122]

I wouldn't wanna be the one who read this report or the one who ignored it.

[@foamer443]

In the end after all the investigating and blame laying is done, this going to read like a John Grisham novel.

[@trexmidnite]

The captain will go down with the ship

[@walk-inmyshoes9818]

This is not the only building either...

[@clarekrishan1597]

I don't think it was ignored - the owners had to find the funds to act, and from experience with our HOA that means getting commercial financing which only flows after the owners have pledged a significant downpayment themselves, in this case on an assessment of $200k perhaps $40k up front in cash. Many residents were elderly, that may not be easy to do on a fixed income. Some were investors, and they may have preferred to sell rather than sink money into a special assessment. The Condo Board of Directors can't hire a construction remediation firm unless they can pay them - collecting the special assessment pledges may have been delayed by COVID? What is apparatnt is that they owners chose to revamp their governing documents in 2019 - possibly to enforce collection on obligations for the project - some local ordinances require 80% approval of community before encumbering owners with additional financing, theirs were rewritten to lower that proportion to 50%, so now a simple majorty of your neighbors can sink you into debt for decades, not pleasant but a reality for many residents of shoddily built and poorly maintained common-interest housing up and down the USA

[@orangefield3171]

@@clarekrishan1597 you explained that so well. Most people have no idea how these matters go within condo and townhouse communities. I’ve had a number of friends sell their condos because they couldn’t afford special assessments in addition to HOA fees. I know of one condo community in which necessary repairs were put off for 2 years in order to give residents enough time to come up with the money.

[@robertcartino9677]

I could not sleep well in those buildings next to the one that collapsed...

[@DCfred]

The issue with condo associations is that they don’t want to face special assessments, and are always postponing the issue to a future board.

[@jocelynmorales2310]

The only news channel I’ve seen addressing the reasons why the building collapsed

[@natbfunky]

Jim DeFede definitely has always been one of the best journalist in Miami

[@cardbored_]

Too bad we don’t have any national journalists left that do that kind of work. He’s great.

[@natbfunky]

@@cardbored_ let's keep this as a local issue - ok you are sweaty !

[@mr.majestic2667]

When the dust settles , the story really begins.

[@natbfunky]

The story has began , lot's of finger pointing of who's at fault

[@blessall8856]

He is the best and explains very clearly.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

No-one should build anything anywhere near the ocean. But everyone wants a sea view or to be 'near the beach'.

[@angel43057]

That is EXACTLY what I keep saying!!! So close to the sand and water!! Sand and water are never stable...they are ever changing.

[@4406bbldb]

I’m old enough to remember driving along the beach for miles and seeing a One Story motel every once in awhile. I think outside investors are not good for Florida.

[@tammybunting9198]

The wise man built his house upon the rock

[@waikikiki8615]

Miami Beach is fake land… it’s been compacted with rocks and cement … at the end nature always claims itself. A big tsunami could engulf all south Florida

[@feedyourmind6713]

Mankind has always lived near the shores of bodies of water.

[@SundayCookingRemix]

Obviously, under ground garages, should not be built under ground near the ocean 🙄🤦💯

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Correct.

[@babe9334]

Thus New York City would never have been built.. Bedrock is strong enough. People cutting corners on maintenance and cost is a different story entirely. Praying for those lost and still missing. 🙏

[@willschultz5452]

That wasn't the problem. The problem was the pool deck was leaking into the garage. The proximity to the ocean didn't have anything to do with it

[@willschultz5452]

@@babe9334 Thank you you are exactly correct!!!👍

[@allanmoore4353]

On the other hand the report stated right at the end that the other building did not have the water problem, this building was defective from the beginning in some way.

[@hansslagden6915]

This disaster is a result of poor management on all sides.

[@linehandibew6205]

Corporate greed at its finest

[@hansslagden6915]

We need to hold those in the government accountable

[@jshroud]

👍🏾Hold Government accountable for changing the Laws after the 2008 Housing Crisis to allow Banks NOT TO MAINTAIN THOSE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES.🎓

[@FireCracker3240]

As an apartment manager, this is terrifying to me. It's so important to be proactive with the upkeep your buildings. Of course, my situation is different in that my garden style buildings are occupied by renters, not condo owners, and I answer to an Inc., not an Association, but at the end of the day, none of that matters. All that matters is the safety of the people occupying your space. Prayers to all of those affected by this horrific situation. It's so damn heartbreaking.

[@anthonyballard8468]

To You

[@Fanta....]

There will be a lot of managers dotting their I's and crossing their t's to make sure their buildings are up to scruff. And the residents won't fight repairs, because they know they'll be next if they ignore it like these poor bastards learned the hard way.

[@kellyanneree3252]

That water in the garage was coming from the pool deck above, which is the ceiling of the garage. It's the water proofing membrane of the pool deck that wasn't maintained (it doesn't last forever). How did city inspectors, who visit approximately every six months, not shut this building down?? Was it a buddy system that allowed this to continue??

[@willschultz5452]

I don't think anybody inspected that building in years. It was only due for an inspection in its first 40 years. They were preparing for that inspection when the building collapsed. After a 40 year inspection it would have only had to have been inspected every 10 years after that

[@pburchins]

I,am sorry, the engineer who did the report had a responsibility to notify the City of the situation three years ago. I was managing a project in TN where we had to remove a bearing wall and replace it with a girder while keeping the structure in place. It was a challenging job. We discovered some issues with the structure on the other side of the building this area was not under construction. The structural engineer saw it and he notified both the owner and building department. Structural engineers are licensed and are responsible for the safety of everyone. They are not there to only give their opinion to a owner who puts it in the filing cabinet and ignores it.

[@willschultz5452]

@@pburchins They probably should notify the city if they see a really dangerous situation but usually whoever hires them is who gets the report.

[@tedmulthauf7434]

The core samples they took show the membrane was never there.

[@VolksdeutscheSS]

I think there was more than just water from the pool deck. Maintenance people said they had "heavy-duty pumps" to keep out sea water which would flood into the garage.

[@bjw9529]

Resident: “My car is floating around in the garage parking lot” Management: “Oh, that’s perfectly normal” “It will stop floating around when the water level goes down”

[@jimaanders7527]

Yeah, when the tide goes out, it'll be ok.

[@tasharawarbington]

Exactly!! That’s crazy!!!

[@bjw9529]

@@NachoKitty Love them!!

[@mvc2177]

In short: Mother F’rs who knew are screwed and should be held accountable

[@tmichiels5678]

They are probably dead.

[@amanfromthewest7326]

Even if sued the victim’s won’t get paid in Florida

[@GMarieBehindTheMask]

One is dead

[@duckzncatz]

@@tmichiels5678 Yeah some are dead - like the original builder that made "contributions" to certain politicians back in 1980

[@Garth2011]

@@duckzncatz Don't forget the building inspectors who allowed inferior building to occur. They usually get paid to look the other way.

[@CA2SD]

Excellent reporting. They knew.

[@MultiMattman68]

Wait till the lawsuits start,if not already

[@carolmerlini9971]

What they knew did not necessarily contribute to the collapse.

[@andrewglover9874]

@@carolmerlini9971 I dunno....concrete breaking, salt water under the building....those are recipes for disaster and since they were obviously ignored....lawyers profit.

[@jacquir8331]

@@carolmerlini9971 anyone in construction knows the damage saltwater can do. It sounds like contruction needed to be done to stop the flow of the salt water at high tide. However, nobody wanted to pay for the project or they are just idiots.

[@PK-mm8zc]

This was a demolition job. Insurance $$ will pay out everyone + more for the owners. The entire BLDG will be demolished.Land worth $$$ Owners make $50,000,000.

[@darrisnelson5223]

Concrete 101: Salt water + rebar=failure. The building owner’s have to be shaking in their boots…the level of negligence here seems quite evident…

[@jsldj]

More than just negligence. It's criminal!

[@djnoneofyourbusiness525]

When dozens of people are dead, it’s no longer an issue of just negligence.. it’s homicide.

[@taytay1336]

That's a good point I wonder if the water was a salt water pool or chlorine if salt the water definitely took a toll on the structure

[@marisamcbe1335]

Who cares what their Shaking , people go to jail everyday .and these owners are not special" the buildings were shaking while they had construction going on to close to their building also..they complained and nothing was done about it too it's sad

[@toLothair2]

I can use my catch all answer to many questions. WHY ??? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@DKSmith-ho1jr]

Several members of the owners organization resigned because other residents did not want to pay for the needed repairs.

[@GordonWaiteJr]

Did not, or could not? If it would take the quoted $12,000,000 (and the contractor ALWAYS finds more problems = more $) divide that by say 300 units (I don’t know how many units there were) but that would be $40,000 or more per unit. If there were only 150 units that of course would be $80,000 or more. Could you afford that on top of your monthly mortgage payment? I know I couldn’t.

[@DKSmith-ho1jr]

@@GordonWaiteJr No, I could not. But I can not afford a million dollar condo either. Yes they objected to the cost, but to what end? Now we know.

[@Sashazur]

@@GordonWaiteJr The board worked out a financing setup with a bank, so if someone say owed $80,000 they would not have to pay it all at once but instead could pay it over many years.

[@5to1-w6d]

The building is owned by a conglomerate of holding companies, so the negligence is the fault of several chumps, not just one chump.

[@mikem4900]

Those chumps better have good indemnity insurance because I have a feeling there's going to be a few claims filed.

[@russell7489]

the conglomerates are shielded only the co op is sueable unless you got emails proving corps heads stopped repairs KNOWING the building would collapse.

[@Chandon1]

& That’s the sad part, there all hidden & protected by the curtains of corporate laws & loopholes... You can guarantee all of them are scrambling like roaches figuring out what laws they can hide behind & finding the scapegoats to pin the blame on. This is gonna be nasty, nastier actually cuz it already is.

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

It's a condominium development. The residents BUY the units they live in. The common areas are owned by the condo association. Each unit owner has a percentage stake in the ownership of the association. So how is the building owned by "a conglomerate of holding companies?"

[@5to1-w6d]

I dare say, Mr. Baldwin, that not one unit in that building is owned by an individual. Each and every unit is some vague corporate entity. The seller is another vague corporate entity, probably a law firm whose other client is the bank or developer who financed the construction and land purchase. The seller still gets maintenance fees and is responsible party for all repairs and recertification.

[@stefanfrankel8157]

Translation: Salt water intrusion=RUST.

[@johnwayne3085]

CORRECTION Salt water intrusion=introduction of salt water to concrete and metal rebar Rust=Rust

[@JustyDays]

I wouldn’t trust the other building’s either I don’t care if they say it’s fine.

[@tonyababy965]

I know that’s right

[@freshyjones9062]

I mean south beach is an island technically.

[@fredalwatkins4506]

Must have been a wild ride down

[@HsingSun]

Don't ever trust any builders. Hire your own inspector when you buy a home, new or old.

[@ajcrum3689]

Me either no thank you . I will stick to my single family home in the country after seeing this . I would not step foot in a high rise along the water there .

[@grandmasfavorites]

So sad that so many have died because HOA did not keep up on the repairs.

[@MisterLumpkin]

But I'll bet they were right on top of you if you hung your clothes out to dry on your balcony.

[@eaglevision993]

Repairing structural issues does not increase value because the average buyer expects that as a given. Slap on a little paint, install some granite counter tops and sell that place to the next sucker for double what you paid. That is the general attitude of the housing market right now. This building was neglected for decades. It did not collapse because it was not repaired last year.

[@toma5153]

I think the HOA was very clear about the need for maintenance. The owners complained that they would have to spend money.

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Thank you Jim DeFede! Amazing journalism! Right on spot.

[@jaysongiroux9156]

Nice to see him still reporting. I remember when he was twice that size in the 90s 2000s. Good for him.

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

@@jaysongiroux9156 hope he is feeling great and healthy and keeps up the good work. He stands certainly for the good America!

[@astheworldturns1096]

Excellent report Jim DeFede!

[@miadelavier4315]

Yup it was impressive. The guy cares.

[@fmj_556]

Perfect example of cheap ass community association’s trying to skim as much money as possible!

[@Dudemon-1]

Communal arrangements always work *so* well! /s

[@cybervigilante]

As bad as HOAs.

[@markserati9819]

It was controlled demolition, not a question. The question is who and why they wanted someone dead. It could be they are also trying to destroy the owner(s). Have no idea why, but that definately was controlled demolition. Wish I was there to see the remains of the building, I'd tell you how it was done. There is no reason to tunnel in as well. If they really are, it's to hide something.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Community Association accounts are audited yearly and they have to account for every cent received and spent.

[@angelique707]

The association told the members - other residents - about the $16 million needed for repairs. Florida laws allows members to defer raising fees if they find the raise to be onerous, as long as they have a certain minimum of liquid funds available, which the building did. They voted to make cheaper superficial repairs rather than the more expensive, but longer lasting one. Not the fault of the leadership. All the members get a vote in the decision. In fact most of the leadership resigned out of frustration.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Such an excellent report, thank you, I wish all media reports were half this good.

[@jenm9099]

One of the first interviews following the collapse featured a man who said that he saw the parking garage go first, followed by the rest of the building. His statement is becoming more damning by the day, as the evidence grows.

[@3ppcli]

They were selling condos in this building after being told it had serious structural damage. That absolute GREED.

[@MG-ot2yr]

There's also the report of the lady on her 4th floor balcony at time of collapse talking to her husband on the phone, she told him the pool deck was sinking, everything shaking, screamed then line went dead. So it kind of supports the parking garage reports, as they're adjacent.

[@sk8ercaligirl]

The parking garage would go first as it is the first level and the other floors resting on top of it. 😁

[@polygondwanaland8390]

@@MG-ot2yr source?

[@MG-ot2yr]

@@polygondwanaland8390 Its been on various news sources, just google using her name Cassie Stratton, her husband is Michael Stratton

[@bwtawny]

There were 2 stories in the Washington Post today's about this. First, one of the missing residents was sitting on her balcony. She called her husband who was in another state yelling that she could see the pool deck was breaking up and collapsing. She then started screaming and her phone went dead. The other is an account from a family of a missing resident. They said she was complaining to management that the pounding from the roof work was shaking her apartment very badly. She also said that she stated she could hear water in the elevator. Management came to her apartment, looked around, and said nothing was wrong. Both these people are still missing.

[@frankgonzalez4110]

😞 so sad

[@emmaevans7011]

That is horrific

[@TheBooban]

Wow, sounds damning. Jim Defede is a real journalist.

[@BudandBloomWithBlossom]

For all the log cabin geniuses who say that we dont need college-this man and the engineer who made the report is proof of the virtues of higher education.

[@BudandBloomWithBlossom]

@@Americanexpatincebu Many ppl say college is not needed. But the world is MUCH more complex than what ppl realize. In 2020, two dim-witted doctors who were at a conference on video trying to gaslight ppl about the "vaccine" said that except for going to school to be a doctor, college is not necessary. Like what?? Really?? Everyone need not go to college but having a college educated citizenry is absolutely important to every nation. Saying that women's studies and ethnic studies is unnecessary shows your utter foolishness. Ppl like you not only are trolls, but think America and log cabins are the center of the universe. Or you are one of the social engineering trolls who are fighting to continually de-educate ppl and keep them fighting each other on social media to create civil unrest. These two studies are much more important in life than you care to know. But, your job as a troll is to push everyone in the direction of ignorance and short-sightedness. Even if you realized the importance of these studies, you probably would still speak against them...just to, you know, troll.

[@SegoMan]

Then you have folks like Nikola Tesla who dropped out on his 3rd year of college (probably got tired of teaching his instructors)

[@Mr.Ekshin]

NOBODY claims we don't need colleges. But many (correctly) claim that not everyone needs to go to college. In fact, the grease-covered guy repairing your car makes more than most folks with a four year degree. The plumber who gets $300 just to show up, and $150/hr while he fixes your leak... he's making more than most lawyers. Hell, these days, the average landscaper is earning more than most college grads.

[@BudandBloomWithBlossom]

@@Mr.Ekshin MANY people in America claim we dont need college! Yes, they do! Like I said in my comment, I don't think everybody needs to go to college. I and other folks know that mechanics and plumbers and HVAC folks make good money. That's if they have steady work. College is not for everyone and it's not necessary for all occupations. (But some people really do make good money with a degree.)

[@DevinPlaysitAll]

@@Americanexpatincebu Maybe if you took a women's studies class, you could figure out why women don't wanna touch your pp

[@gizzyguzzi]

Why is no one acknowledging we should never build on the beach? The entire Miami area is on an isthmus, sand surrounded by water. Duh.

[@JohnDavis-sb6ex]

Or, one could say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! SAD!

[@juggernautz]

The Wise Man builds his house on rocks. The Foolish Man builds his house on sand.

[@ryanedwards7487]

Um...you can totally build on sand. At some point armchair "experts" need to learn to shut their pieholes. And I think you just reached it.

[@JohnDavis-sb6ex]

@@ryanedwards7487 Denier!☠

[@ryanedwards7487]

@@JohnDavis-sb6ex no, I'm a professional engineer with more than a decade of experience, a degree from a top college, and have worked on several types of structures in several areas with several types of underlying soils and using many types of foundation systems. You, sir, can sit down, because I actually know a thing or two and am tired of the utter crackpots trying to use some level of utter lunacy to validate some kind of hockum.

[@lumi6945]

They need to investigate the other buildings too.

[@wozo9210]

It looks like the other buildings had proper management and have been deemed safe

[@kathyharris8331]

Won't these multi millionaire owners just payoff inspectors or bury the findings, or just do shoddy repairs on the cheap AGAIN? ....

[@RadioChief52]

Thank you for this clear explanation without the usual 30 second sound bite limitations. This is an important tragedy we need to learn lessons from.

[@michael47lamb]

Best report I have seen yet! The only way we will ever learn what really happened to that building is to first remove all the debris and dig up the old footings to see if they are still intact. But judging from the maint guys' comments in the interview I am thinking some of the underground main column steel and concrete is mostly crumbled away from the salt water eating it up for decades.

[@handleBadpuppy]

It almost seems like they were putting a bandaid over a gaping wound !!

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Ya think?

[@yemx4683]

Any beachfront properties ( buildings ) should be inspected every 10 years. Just my opinion.

[@buddyloco9504]

pretty sure they are often inspected and maintenanced , the 40 year thing is a recertification

[@yemx4683]

@@buddyloco9504 yes I know however in Florida especially getting beat up with storms and hurricanes, to me that 40 year mark seems a little long....

[@Nunyabzinss]

A house built on sand will not stand

[@BMarie774]

Not even just the water..but winds. Constantly getting battered by hurricanes can’t be helpful either.

[@yemx4683]

I saw an interview from one of the maintenance dude I believe he said he worked there from like 1991 -2000 and he ad mentioned when they had high serf the parking garage would be flooded with sea water. They had pumps but was to much water. He said sometimes cars would float. They would just wait until the water drained itself. This was his words.

[@vickiehottes4933]

Best explanation so far,thanks Jim.

[@antonfarquar8799]

Nice to see & hear a report that gets to the truth for a change. The gentleman giving it is to be congratulated for his concise grasp and presentation of the subject.

[@azinegg]

Forget corporate man slaughter, this is outright murder…. Poor people.

[@andywomack3414]

Corporations are people protected from the consequences of bad actions.

[@lindajackson4631]

Mass murder

[@recoveringsoul755]

Saw the report yesterday. Also saw another news piece later yesterday from a Structural Engineer who said that these photos and records from 2018 were not enough to cause the building suddenly collapse the way it did. He said the amount of spalling was to be expected for a building of that age. 6/26/21

[@1mama402]

Absolutely!

[@margiemarion9437]

Members of the management team and home owners association should do some jail time if that disappearing water in the garage caused the collapse.

[@abbylynn8872]

Enough water to float a car. Just think about it. Enough that pumps could not keep up with it.

[@donefedup2208]

maybe you shouldn't live that close to a beach

[@redtaylor4936]

@@donefedup2208 Maybe you should be quiet

[@troyb.4101]

They were pumping it out, problem was it was coming in just as fast.

[@LardGreystoke]

Problem was it shouldn't be coming in. Salt water will erode concrete and steel.

[@winecrimesfoodandtime7119]

And Waters the most powerful thing on earth

[@billyjack7421]

Nobody ever wants to spend the money for repairs, but they will always take the money from the tenants.

[@toastoftowne1076]

Good old fashioned greed

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

Excellent! Great explanation for such a tragic situation that could have been averted!

[@NebbySpace]

So...not only did they build a high rise condo building on a beach... They built it on top of a underground parking garage, on a beach. Constantly pumping sea water from a underground parking garage on a beach... How efficient.

[@AskMiko]

To hear there is underground parking is disturbing. In states like California, underground parking is actually street level. The water table is too high to dig deeper. So in this condo’s situation, I seriously think it was a sinkhole. No way that close to the water that it should have underground parking as well. Then again, it was built in 1981 and circumstances could have been slightly different. At some point as they remove the debris, a giant hole and water will emerge.

[@sfloridapatriot5572]

So you had a parking garage below sea level, what could possibly go wrong....

[@RaymondHng]

@@AskMiko No. If the condominium complex is in a downtown area in San Francisco, the parking is underground.

[@kindGSL]

@@RaymondHng I have lived my whole life in California and never heard of this before. Our water is NOT that high, so I wonder what he was talking about.

[@imrickjames7012]

@@sfloridapatriot5572 unless it’s the Dutch building these things, I doubt muricans know how to reclaim land from the sea when going below sea level.

[@sislertx]

They couldnt find anyone willing to repair it...because there was nothing but teardown that could be done.

[@mr.majestic2667]

They would never just scrap it so it is left to fate.

[@edmumdtan2278]

Concrite collumn and concrite beam can be repaired?

[@mr.majestic2667]

@@edmumdtan2278 Cost played a factor.

[@chodkowski01]

@@mr.majestic2667 no one wanted to face the consequences.

[@pokellaa]

They had over 300 units, at 1,000+ a month.. Cost is not a factor.. Basic math.

[@clyd3fr0g]

I remember when Miami residents used to call salt water intrusion “nuisance flooding”.

[@melaniebuford]

I’ll stick to a single house. Rent or own. At least my feet will grow wings if something happens.

[@davidschaadt5929]

Imagine feeling the rumbling and knowing you could never get out in time .

[@melaniebuford]

@@davidschaadt5929 especially when you’re not on the first floor near the exit door.

[@joemaloney1019]

Ditto, single floor ranch for me.

[@C-Lightning]

I currently work at a condominium property (in VA) and this is all the HOA's fault. HOA will constantly overlook important structural issues and will chose instead, minor cosmetic elements that are cheaper to deal with. This is why I will never ever buy a condominium unit.

[@tomsuh1362]

Who the hell came up with this scam call condo?

[@derekpascal3749]

Buildings are unsafe wherever dishonesty is the norm.

[@kathykay6602]

agree 100%

[@STV-H4H]

Which is everywhere.

[@STV-H4H]

The local and perhaps entire seaside real estate condo market will be liquidating assets as quickly as they can. First sellers will possibly break even, the stragglers will sell at a loss The local crime bosses will slurp up firesale properties, get engineers to sign off and poorly or even un-repaired buildings with shiny new paint and decor will lure the next wave in. This isn’t the only building we’ll be seeing fail in coming months I imagine. I certainly hope heads roll when the signed inspection reports are discovered and owners who cut every possible corner and bribed anyone who could pass them every season. This is the first event, doubtful the only.

[@ladyjade6446]

And greed

[@cacornhusker2940]

we're all unsafe when we have Gov't Regulators, Gov't Inspectors and Politicians that can't be sued for incompetence or outright dereliction of duty.

[@ricksadler797]

Thank you for explaining it to us 🙏😊

[@marysketch4772]

What a great and interesting report by Jim DeFede. Wish more reporters did work like this.

[@Wooley689]

So the city DID know this building was dangerous and let it slide.

[@AsIseeitPattiDail]

sinking buildings and sinkholes are caused by the underground tunnels! Underground tunnels obviously weaken the foundations of buildings and roads , above ground!

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

Yes

[@bobcaygeon6799]

@@AsIseeitPattiDail Patti, Please excuse my sincere ignorance. What tunnels? Why are there underground tunnels located here? Thank you in advance :-)

[@AsIseeitPattiDail]

@@bobcaygeon6799 There are many underground tunnels that are used by the military! They are everywhere! You can even google it! TY! :)

[@mushroomgirl05]

they didnt want to spend money to fix it, they all gonna be sued real soon

[@cknorris3644]

They were simply battling the problem for years, not trying to FIX the problem.

[@bobcaygeon6799]

Yep, As in, kicking the can down the road! I'm getting a sense that many want a straight forward explanation. The likely reality is that, while many likely knew 'something had to be done', as soon as the amount of money REQUIRED was mentioned, there were those who likely said the equivalent of "over my dead body!". Sadly, that directive has become this reality. :-(

[@GMW.artist]

It was unfixable. It was built on unsuitable land.

[@SomebodysGrandmother]

There was really no fix, I imagine if there were it would have been brought up, or suggested in these reports.

[@judithbalchin6777]

So so sad

[@dardar1862]

Nah! Too much blaming others and not taking on the expensive task of repairing it properly!!! Everyone is to blame!!

[@bottlestopper4353]

They should have condemned this building 10 years ago but that would have effected the bottom line. So they played the odds with people’s lives.

[@JSSTyger]

I do inspections and have the same sentiments. I wonder what kind of permanent groundwater diversion this thing had.

[@willschultz5452]

The problem is no one really knew about it until this 40 year inspection came up because it was never inspected by anyone until then. The inspection done in 2018 was done by a engineering company that the condominium hired to do it. They only reported their findings to the condominium HOA

[@JSSTyger]

@@willschultz5452 But they did know about it...and they knew that the damage was accelerating and old repairs were not working. At some point, somebody has to make a call. Condemn it.

[@willschultz5452]

There is no "bottom line " nobody makes any money from the place except for the workers there like the maintenance guy or the office worker. They are just employees

[@350clara]

Great explanation . Thank you

[@kristideanda9293]

This man would be a great teacher

[@inshallamiami]

Jim DeFede is a gem....a true journalist

[@rustyfolts3298]

Or an idiot.

[@JuvaniRichardson]

Finally someone talks sense!

[@Literallyarealhuman]

My bf and I maintain a few apartment buildings and it’s always a struggle to get owner to pay for repairs needed and we charge the lowest of low prices. He always wants to do band aid fix or anything other than what’s required. Very frustrating

[@Axlepup1]

Awesome job reporting Jeff, that's how reporting needs to stay!!!

[@louisaisthankful6455]

Excellent explanation! Thank you to the interviewers for letting him speak without interruption.

[@roborob767]

Damn,,, actual journalism!

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

It was refreshing

[@Krystalmyth]

Journalism usually requires investigation. Videography. this is close tho. but speculation and correlation isnt journalism. going to the condo owners and having them face question, investigating releases, talking to contractors in the area and demanding answers is actual journalism. not bad tho. not bad at all.

[@rd8370]

As long as it’s not going after a powerful person or group of powerful people.

[@felixcat9318]

Excellent reporting, very good technical input and interview with the former Site Manager.

[@bruceg1845]

this is the best explanation, thanks

[@shihtzusrule9115]

Think of all of the buildings in Miami that are subject to routine flooding, now. Not just beachside.

[@AsIseeitPattiDail]

sinking buildings and sinkholes are caused by the underground tunnels! Underground tunnels obviously weaken the foundations of buildings and roads , above ground!

[@zuzuspetals9281]

Add the force of hurricanes and storms forcing the salt water into the cracks and crevices and the sand it’s built on eroding underneath …

[@rustyfolts3298]

A garbage hole eventually collapses, too bad.

[@gutfinski]

Great investigative reporting by Jim DeFede. It is good to see real journalism still being practiced in America.

[@Dudemon-1]

And they didn't cut him off!

[@teresaa]

Yes! Excellent! We should have this guy national news, not the bias talking heads right and left!

[@gatorhunter1]

Remember, most of the Miami area in the 80's was built with drug money. There was a lot of under the table bribes and deals going on everywhere. I dunno if that had anything to do with this incident, but it's a known fact from us longtime South Florida natives that there are a lot of shady dealings going on behind the scenes and for a long time.

[@amenen01]

Is still happening.

[@b16da93]

Condo association lawyer: we have to pay this lawsuit due to the collapse Condo association: np we'll do a special assessment fee on the survivors.

[@starcrib]

🌟This man *[ jim defede ] has had the most informed and credible authority of what most likely Happened...HE SHOULD RUN FOR MAYOR . !!

[@donnamaco1]

President.

[@kimberlyannesmith3450]

Heck with a mayor he should be president!!

[@evilbeetlekustomscreations4965]

Nobody taking their job seriously that's what America's about now

[@snortsnortdripdripbiden2950]

No one wants anything done perfectly these days...

[@snortsnortdripdripbiden2950]

Sloppy and about getting paid... bottom line...

[@ScottAllenFinance]

Nobody wants to pay to do what needs to be done. I've worked in building maintenance, most of the older building guys are just lazy assholes at this point. They'd rather half ass a job and "save money" rather than do it right. It's really an epidemic.

[@VoteForBukele]

It’s awesome if you work in automation and robotics. Thanks for sucking.

[@shellygardner6410]

I spend 40 hours a week here, and you expect me to work too!!

[@JwhiteW45th]

Great, in depth reporting.

[@Angiehere-1]

Great video!

[@SD-jd6ix]

There you go it was time bomb just waiting to happen this building was doomed because of rusting deform rebar

[@PK-mm8zc]

This was a demolition job. Insurance $$ will pay out everyone + more for the owners. The entire BLDG will be demolished.Land worth $$$ Owners make $50,000,000.

[@spicyroads]

Jim did a great job , this is what news looks like

[@Upgradeo8]

Imagine building on sand in a marshland next to the Ocean

[@willschultz5452]

That has nothing to do with it. Its just a lack of maintenance! Pure and simple

[@petemiller519]

6:25 "The cars would FLOAT" .....can't believe the reporter didn't pick up on that. Seems kind of important, projecting one hell of a mental image.