Sunrise Steps In To Fix Collapsed Canal Bank
SUNRISE (CBS4) – The City of Sunrise has stepped in to help seven townhome owners whose residences were deemed unsafe after the canal bank behind their homes collapsed.
Construction crews began work Monday to stabilize the sinking earth that borders a backyard canal, which made the residents' homes at Spring Tree Cove West uninhabitable. Sunrise officials decided to front the $240 thousand needed for the work because the insurance companies were dragging their feet.
The seven families who live in the homes were evacuated December 16th when the bank collapsed in the middle of the night. A 12-foot-wide section of their backyards suddenly fell into the canal, allowing the water to seep up to their sliding doors. The families were forced to spend the holidays away from their homes and are more than ready to move back in.
"It's great! Now that they're doing what they're supposed to do," said displaced resident Louis Sesso. "I thought we were going to be out of here forever."
City commissioners passed a resolution which allowed the city to foot the 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 can't happen fast enough. We'll 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 home's backyards were about 15-17 feet long before the slope began.
"After the boulders are in place, we'll bring fill and compact it back to the rear of the properties. Then we'll do some final grading before adding sod to complete the project," said Mark Lupelski, Director of Community Development.
A city engineer will then inspect the site in order to certify the structure hasn't been damaged before deeming the building safe for the residents to return to their homes.
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, defaulted the land to the county.
Sunrise City Manager Bruce Moeller told CBS4 News 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.
