Article
Courtesy of The Miami Herald
By Nicholas
Behemas
Published January 15, 2016
Never send a robot to do a valet’s job.
The company that built and ran the disastrous robotic parking garage at a
luxury Brickell condo has pulled out of its contract after declaring
bankruptcy.
New Jersey-based Boomerang Systems
asked a federal judge to cancel its agreement with the
Brickell House condo association late last month. Judge Mary
Walrath, who is supervising the company’s bankruptcy, agreed
to the request in an order dated Dec. 21. Walrath also said
that a new company could take over for Boomerang.
Developer Harvey Hernandez told buyers that Boomerang’s
innovative robotic garage would make parking at Brickell
House a breeze. Instead the robots were overwhelmed,
especially during the crush of rush hour, causing long waits
for impatient residents.
The garage has been shut down for months. Residents have
been valeting their cars or parking at nearby garages. The
condo association is offering $135 monthly credits to offset
the cost. Most garages in the area charge at least $150 per
month, plus a one-time initial fee.
Hernandez did not return a call asking when the Brickell
House garage might reopen. |
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A hand-written note says that Brickell House’s
robotic parking garage is shut down in this Nov. 2015 file photo.
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