Magistrate orders emergency shoring at 3909 N. Ocean Blvd. pool; 126 days to complete repairs

The Special Magistrate ordered emergency shoring and a 126‑day repair timeline on May 15 after city inspectors cited structural damage beneath the pool at 3909 North Ocean Boulevard, a condominium managed by Top of the Mile South Inc.

The requirement follows an April 3 structural assessment by Falcon Group that recommended immediate repairs. Severina Ionesco, building inspector for the city, told the magistrate the Falcon Group report showed falling concrete and exposed rebar under the pool deck and recommended shoring within seven days and full repairs within 126 days, with daily fines if those deadlines were missed.

Why it matters: The engineer’s visual assessment and the inspector’s testimony described a condition the city called a life‑safety concern because the pool deck showed signs of concrete failure and exposed reinforcement. The magistrate described the condition as an emergency and ordered immediate temporary measures to reduce collapse risk before long‑term repairs.

Frank Zangara, association manager for the property, said the building has already emptied the pool and reduced occupancy while the association solicits contractors. "We have emptied out the pool, so the weight on the underside of the belly of the pool has been totally closed off," Zangara said, describing steps the association had taken while seeking bids.

The magistrate granted a short, firm timetable for the temporary safety work and the full repair: shoring to be installed within 10 days and the complete repairs to be finished within 126 days. The magistrate said: "If you can't work with your current contractor, you need to get a different contractor, but the shoring has to be done." The magistrate also warned that fines would begin to accrue if the deadlines were not met.

City staff urged the association to expedite contracting for shoring and recommended against further delay because the April report had already recommended emergency shoring. The association said it was running a closed bid process for contractors and asked for a brief additional window to complete procurement; the magistrate allowed a 10‑day period for shoring rather than the seven days originally requested by staff.

Next steps: The association was ordered to provide the city with evidence that shoring has been installed by the 10‑day deadline and to submit a schedule and documentation showing progress toward the 126‑day final repair deadline. The pool will remain closed until the city confirms required temporary support is in place.

The hearing record shows the magistrate retained jurisdiction and set a follow‑up review tied to the deadlines above.