ORANGE COUNTY -- More than 100 condos at an Orange County condo are still being repaired from last year's back-to-back storms.
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"We don't have very much communication
from the board or the Access Management. They said they were
going to do building 1 through 4 first and then proceed to
the rest," Hallam said.
Hallam and a group of other homeowners turned to WESH 2,
hoping to get answers from those in charge.
WESH 2 obtained a letter sent to homeowners on May 15. In
it, Michael Laster, the senior vice president of operations,
said: "We wanted to take a moment to provide an update on
the re-construction project at Dockside. As you all know,
the construction has begun on Building 1 - 4. The majority
of the insulation, drywall and air conditioning units on the
1st floor have been installed. Building 1 is almost complete
and awaiting some cabinets along with some texture repairs
and final cleaning. Building 2 - 4 are in progress and we
anticipate the first 4 buildings to be completed in the next
6-7 weeks.
"As you may be aware, we have not received funding to do all
of the buildings at this time. We are working with the
adjusters and our legal team to recover the necessary funds
to complete the remaining buildings. The board has secured
an additional $4M in financing for the next 4 buildings
which will begin shortly. We are working to secure funding
for the remainder of the project in the unlikely event that
the insurance carrier delays the process further. We have
filed for arbitration, but that is also a process that take
times and we want to avoid delays in the project if
possible."
Laster did not want to speak with WESH 2 on camera. In an
email, we asked, "what is the status of working with
adjusters and their legal team to recover the necessary
money to finish the buildings?"
Laster said, "This is a legal process which we are working
through with the guidance of counsel and our adjusters."
We also asked, "where did the board secure $4 million to
begin repairs on the next four buildings?"
Laster responded saying, "This was a private loan secured to
continue construction efforts until the claim process can be
settled."
He also confirmed repairs on buildings five through eight
are underway. He hopes to finish the first four buildings in
the coming weeks.
When it comes to tenants still paying maintenance fees,
Laster said, "The association has expenses to operate the
community regardless if there are owners in their property.
Homeowners/tenants should consult with their insurance
carrier to see what coverages may be available to them for
the displacement. This is not something that the association
insurance provides coverage for unfortunately. We are
working as quickly as possible to get the property restored
given the limitations on insurance and funding."