Residents of Edmonton condo building ordered out over concerns of collapse
CBC
Residents of a northwest Edmonton condo building have been ordered to immediately vacate their homes due to concerns the building could collapse.
An official notice to vacate will be posted at Castledowns Pointe on Tuesday evening, a City of Edmonton spokesperson told CBC News.
Residents of the building at 12618 152nd Ave. received a notice Friday from property manager Simco Management detailing a series of structural concerns with the four-storey, 83-unit building, which was constructed in 1999.
According to that notice, engineers investigating the damage caused by a March 12 fire discovered the building was not structurally sound.
"In summary, the report of the structural engineers advises that under certain conditions, all or a portion of the building could fail structurally, (i.e. collapse)," the notice from Simco said.
A notice from the company posted on the building's front doors instructed residents to leave their units "without delay."
Structural engineering firm Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. (RJC) made the findings and recommended that residents leave, the notice said.
RJC declined to comment to CBC on its findings. The notice said the firm informed the city of its findings on Aug. 31.
"Please note that it is the recommendation of RJC that due to the potential life safety issue, that the remaining residents vacate the building as soon as possible," the Simco notice said.
In an email Thursday afternoon, City of Edmonton spokesperson Mary-Ann Thurber said the building's owner and manager must ensure the order to vacate is followed until all reviews and structural engineering assessments can be completed and remedial action has been taken to make the units safe to live in again.
Thurber said the city will be monitoring the situation, and if the appropriate action isn't taken, it has authority under the Safety Codes Act to take enforcement action against the building owners.
The property management firm instructed owners and tenants to pack for at least a week and to take their pets with them.
"Given the severity of the situation, residents are asked to pack a suitcase but to leave the rest of their possessions," Simco said in its notice.
"Do not move out contents or other materials at this time as it is a safety issue. We thank you for your co-operation."
Saskatoon resident Delynne Bortis knew her commute to work Tuesday morning would be particularly difficult.
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