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Article
Courtesy of Local 10 News
By
Peter D'Oench, Local 10 Producer
Published July 17, 2006
MIAMI
BEACH -- Local 10 has learned the end could
be in sight for hundreds of residents who were forced out of their
condominiums 15 months ago.
Two
owners on the condo association board at the Castle Beach Club have been
told 25 percent of the owners will be allowed to move back sometime in
August. They were also told all of the 576 units at Castle Beach should be
finished by the end of November.
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"I've
been out of my apartment for 15 months," said Robert
Berman, the owner of a two-bedroom condo and treasurer of
the condo association board. "I can't wait to get
back." Berman was allowed to take a look at the
reconstruction today.
Residents were forced out on April 14,
2005, because of structural and electrical problems. The
building was condemned.
Repairs
were delayed because of battles with the condo association's
former Board of Directors and the court-appointed receiver
in charge of assets. Residents even sued three former
members of the board, saying they |
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knew
of the building's mounting problems and ignored them. Hurricane Wilma
caused further damage to the Castle Beach Club last October.
For the past six months, work has been going on at
least six days a week. And the receiver was replaced by an attorney for
the condo association board, Joseph Ganguzza, an expert in resolving
condominium problems.
"The first priority was life safety
issues," Ganguzza said. "After that, we then took care of the
cosmetic and aesthetic issues."
Electrical wiring has been replaced, as have fire
sprinklers and alarms. The air conditioning system has been repaired. And
problems with mold have been resolved. What was first estimated to be a
$10 million project has grown to $25 million.
The Castle Beach Club's insurance policy may pay for
some of it. But that's not clear. So owners have also helped fund the
reconstruction through a special assessment. They've also had to keep
paying their mortgages, taxes and maintenance fees of a few hundred
dollars a month.
Cari Amores, who lives in Miami Springs but owns a
condo as a second home, said "I've really missed it. I'm looking
forward to enjoying it again." She and Berman are among the 25
percent expecting their condos to be ready next month.
Berman said, "In September, 25 percent more
will return, the same in October and November."
Castle Beach was once the home of the Playboy Club.
Berman said Playboy founder Hugh Hefner used to own a condo at Castle
Beach. Berman said 80 of the 576 units are occupied by owners. He said the
rest are owned by investors or those like Amores wanting a second home.
Looking out from his ground-floor, ocean-front
condo, Berman said, "You can't beat a view like this. There's nothing
like it. I miss it."
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