The Big Fix Begins On Collapsing Sunrise Canal
SUNRISE (CBS4) - Residents of a Sunrise condo complex are another step closer to moving back into their homes. Construction has begun to fix the collapsing canal behind the Spring Tree Cove West.
The work began Monday after the city commission unanimously passed a resolution last week to stabilize the sinking earth that borders a backyard canal, making the residents' homes uninhabitable.
"It's great! Now that theyre doing what theyre supposed to do," said displaced resident Louis Sesso. "I thought we were going to be out of here for ever."
The commission will foot the $240,000 bill proposed by Davie-based 3rd Rock Restoration Company. The construction company came in with the lowest bid and also promised to expedite the project. The work should be completed by the middle of February.
"I felt like a little kid watching the construction workers," said resident Alan Lueck. "I'm excited. It cant happen fast enough. Well have a huge welcome back party when everybody gets back."
The plan is to build out the backyards roughly five feet, then slope down toward the canal. Before the collapse in mid December, the homes were about 15-17 feet long before the slope began.
The city's agenda read, "the canal must be stabilized in order to prevent future failure that could result in the inability for the City to provide storm water drainage for nearby residents and businesses."
The commission's funding decision ended a weeks long tug-of-war over who was responsible for paying for the repair. The city contended that the responsibility fell on the homeowners association, but residents say the HOA failed to pay taxes to the city in 2006, therefore defaulting the land to the county.
Sunrise City Manager Bruce Moeller told CBS4's Carey Codd that he still doesn't believe that the city is responsible for footing the bill, but believes it is the right thing to do for the safety of the residents.
