Village Tracking 45 Building Certifications, But No Safety Concerns

Village officials said Monday there are 45 Key Biscayne properties that are still in the process of complying with mandatory building recertifications, but stressed that there are no critical safety issues at any of the properties.

The building audit was ordered by Village Manager Steve Williamson after the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. The June 24 tragedy killed 98 people. 

Out of 88 buildings due for certification this year, the Village said 43 were fully compliant. Another 38 are due for recertification next year, officials said. 

“There is nothing out of the ordinary in the Village,” said Rene Velazco, the chief building official. He said in most cases, the Village is seeking additional clarification from engineers about documents needed for certifications. There are a few properties where concrete work is underway, including 550 Ocean Lane Drive and the L’Esplanade mall, Velazco said.

The total of 45 is an increase from a previous review finding 18 structures had not yet finished the recertification process. Recertification is required under county regulations when a building is 40 years old and at ten-year intervals thereafter. Of the original 18, Velzco said two buildings — the LePhare and Solimar condominiums — had completed all steps and were compliant. 

The new structures added to the list, according to the Village: 

Williamson said that all buildings were cooperating in supplying necessary documents and said no properties had been reported to the County unsafe structures board. 

County officials are looking at revising the recertification process in the wake of the Surfside collapse. Proposals have included earlier recertifications, greater disclosure requirements, and for condominiums, tougher rules about maintenance reserve funding requirements.