The Dockside apartment building in Charleston was evacuated in February this year due to serious structural problems. The latest assessment shows that the repair cost could be as high as 151 million US dollars. Engineering company Wiss, Janney and Elstner pointed out that this 19-storey building requires large-scale works such as temporary supports, asbestos removal and structural reinforcement. This building has safety hazards similar to the 2021 Champlain Tower collapse in Miami, including defects such as support columns penetrating concrete slabs.
About 200 residents were forced to evacuate in February due to security issues, while dozens of nearby residents have recently filed a lawsuit, questioning the legality of the evacuation order. If the restoration plan progresses, the costs may be shared by the unit owners and the surrounding residents. Some owners will face expenditures of more than one million US dollars. Residents need to decide whether to bear the high maintenance costs or consider selling or even giving up their properties.
This incident has drawn attention to the safety of high-rise buildings, especially after the Champlain Tower accident, many places have strengthened the review of old buildings. The Charleston City government stated that it will assist residents in evaluating subsequent plans, but the final decision-making power still belongs to the property owners.
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