Article Courtesy of Miami Herald

By CARLI TEPROFF
Published October 2, 2006

Four out of six buildings in the La Playa de Varadero III complex must be demolished, the Miami-Dade County unsafe structure board ruled Sept. 20.

The board also gave the condominium association of the Sunny Isles Beach complex 180 days to apply for permits to repair one building and the gazebo.

Sunny Isles Beach City Attorney Hans Ottinot said the ruling only helps the city to meet its goal of making the city safer.

''We have a public duty to ensure that unsafe structures no longer exist in the city,'' he said.

The aging complex came under scrutiny more than a year ago when it underwent its 40-year inspection by the city.

At the time, the city's building official, Clay Parker, ruled the catwalks and other areas of the condo hotel had structural damage.

When hurricanes Katrina and Wilma blew through, the damage only worsened.

In October, Parker condemned the building and it has since been vacant.

Meanwhile, an internal battle has ensued between about 40 homeowners and the board, which is controlled by LPLA Partners LP, an affiliate of developer Jules Trump. Trump built neighboring Acqualina and other luxury complexes like Williams Island. Jules Trump is not related to Donald Trump, who is also building in Sunny Isles Beach.

The board of the La Playa association wants to tear the building down, citing cost, but some residents want the complex repaired.

Rebecca Henderson, the lawyer representing the residents who want the building repaired, said she was disappointed the board ruled that four of the buildings had to be demolished.

She argues Jules Trump won't allow the repairs because he wants to build something else.

''We might appeal,'' she said. ``We don't believe the buildings have enough damage to warrant demolition.''

In July, the city was forced to put a demolition permit on hold until the two parties reached an agreement in court.

Gary Phillips, the lawyer representing LPLA, said the next step is to get estimates on how much it will cost to repair the building.

''For us it has always been a safety issue,'' he said.

He said initial estimates showed it was way too much to repair the existing buildings and more prudent to knock them down.

Resident Alex Fusco, who owns a unit, said he believes it is in everyone's best interest if the buildings are torn down.

''There are some holdouts who won't sell because they want to get as much money out of the developer as they possibly can,'' he said. ``They have tried every stall tactic possible.''

Last year LPLA bought several units for about $140,000.

The buildings were never used as a primary residences, only weekend homes and rentals.

Noelia Delgado, one of the unit owners who does not want the building demolished, said the ruling was favorable.