Disgraceful Neglect In April Leads To Building Collapse, 150 Missing

Miami Beach Region, Florida: In April building inspectors were sent out to give the Miami Beach area condo a full inspection. The results revealed significant structural damage throughout the building. “Concrete deterioration is accelerating, would begin to multiply exponentially.” This letter was sent on April 9, by Champion Towers South Board President Jean Wodnicki to the residents of the condo. The letters’ words of concern never reached the residents.

Frank Morabito was hired in 2018 to tackle the 40-year certification process. His initial report indicated “abundant cracking and crumbling in the underground parking garage. He also reported the waterproofing below the pool deck was failing.”

“When you can visually see the concrete spalling (cracking), that means that the rebar holding it together is rusting and deteriorating beneath the surface.”

-Wodnicki

One month after this letter reached the desk of Rosendo Prieto a meeting was held and how the meeting was conducted is very disturbing. It seems like the management of this building didn’t care about human safety, that is clear, as of now 150 people are missing while 11 have lost their lives.

On Monday night a report confirmed some disturbing news. Minutes from that meeting were released revealing some of the things that were said; “The building was not in bad shape.” Prieto reviewed the structural engineer’s report “and it appears the building is in very good shape.”

A day after the meeting, Prieto wrote an email to the town manager Guillermo Olmedill “It went very well. The response was very positive from everyone in the room. All main concerns over their 40-year rectification process were addressed.”

Charles Burkett Surfside Mayor told city officials the failure to disclose the details of the 2018 reports was “disturbing.” Facts this is very very concerning. The fact that people feel they can play with others’ lives is crazy to me. Prieto is responsible for this incident his failure to report and withholding information and not taking the warnings seriously has affected the lives of nearly 200 people.

Our thoughts and preyers here at IMU Media go out to all the victims’ families, hopefully, the rescue efforts can turn up more survivors.

Source & Video: USA Today

Cover Photo: The Boston Globe