Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Special magistrate orders Bridgewater Tower to provide structural reports within 30 days after inspectors find spalling concrete
Summary
North Bay Village code staff told the magistrate that balconies and parking-garage concrete at Bridgewater Tower show spalling and recurring cracks; the building official demanded a structural-engineer load-test report and protection measures and the magistrate directed the manager to submit applications and return in 30 days.
Special Magistrate Regine Monastem ordered the manager of Bridgewater Tower to submit structural-engineering documentation and begin permitting work within 30 days after code staff described recurring cracks and spalling concrete on balconies and in the parking garage.
Orlando Rodriguez, North Bay Village code director, said a resident complaint in November 2024 led building officials to identify two primary problems: cracked, previously patched areas in the parking garage that are reopening and extensive spalling on balconies where concrete pieces have detached. Rodriguez said the building official requested a report that includes load testing and that protective measures be installed at hazardous spots.
“I want to see a report as soon as possible,” Pedro Martinez, the village building official, said. He warned that post-tension construction can fail suddenly, saying a “bad failure could be fatal for everybody,” and urged an urgent, serious investigation.
Property manager Omar Diaz told the magistrate the association has obtained a structural engineer’s certification that the building is safe for occupancy and has prepared engineering plans and three contractor proposals to address concrete restoration. Diaz asked for 60 days to select a vendor and file permits; the magistrate and the building official said an application should be filed sooner so structural reviewers can begin their assessment.
Monastem said safety is paramount and that, in an abundance of caution, the hearing will follow the building official’s recommendation. She directed Diaz to get the engineer’s report to the village promptly and return for a status report in 30 days. The magistrate did not impose fines during that 30-day period but emphasized the need to contact village staff immediately to resolve outstanding items.
Next steps: the village’s structural reviewers will examine the engineering report once submitted; the manager is to file permit applications and return at the next status hearing.
