CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Several Clearwater condo residents are still unable to return home after evacuating earlier this week due to worries over the building’s safety.
On Friday, however, the condo association informed residents of The South Beach III Condominiums on Gulf Boulevard that they would be permitted “very limited, one-time access” to their apartments.
According to the notice, engineers have given written approval for “safe emergency access” to the 12-story structure. Residents are required to register for a 15-minute slot during which they can enter their apartments on either Saturday or Sunday to collect belongings.
The May 6 evacuation was ordered after engineers found a support column splitting in the first-floor parking structure. Crews have since been working to stabilize the building, and officials said Friday they remained on schedule.
“We are continuing to work with officials on safe, longer-term re-entry, which is expected Tuesday, provided progress remains on schedule,” the condo association wrote.
Residents were asked to avoid scheduling an emergency time slot unless “absolutely needed.”
Some evacuees like Scott May told News Channel 8 they had left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. May was still wearing the same clothes he had on when he left Tuesday as he spoke to reporters days later.
Residents will be allowed limited access to their units as follows:
- Stacks 7-12 on Saturday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Stacks 1-6 on Sunday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The condo association also provided the following guidelines:
- Each unit will have one 15-minute time slot only; time starts when they enter their unit
- Residents will designate no more than two people to enter their unit for their timeslot
- No minors will be permitted to enter the building
- Residents must arrive 15-30 minutes before their timeslot and sign-in with officials under carport 74 in the northeast parking area
- Residents must park in the open spaces along Gulf Boulevard in the 1460 lot
- Parking is limited. Residents will not be permitted to enter the gate until 30 minutes before their timeslot
- Residents and/or their designated representative(s) will be escorted into the building
- Escort is not permitted to assist packing or carrying contents out of unit
- No mail collection will be permitted — mail will resume service when we have written authorization to renter the building
- No shopping carts or valet carts of any kind will be allowed
- Residents must leave property immediately after they load contents
- If the designee(s) is not owner or legal renter, they will be required to have printed authorization from the owner or renter
Officials said an outside structural engineer was hired to conduct a peer review as an added safety measure. The board also plans to meet with owners and residents of condos that have been more directly impacted.
