"described as “a nightmare of building code and safety violations.” in 2008.
Yikes. $40M isn't actually all that much. Clearly whatever fire suppression system they had (heard it was only water based) was not even close to capable.
This is what I meant when I cited officials who won't do their jobs and it got a couple of homers' panties in a knot.
It's everywhere. In Florida, before Hurricane Andrew hit, code enforcement was more wishful thinking than anything. More in some areas than others. Billy the Code Inspector would come onto the New-Construction jobsite, shake hands with his cuz John and sign the plans on the board and pick his 'gratuity' up later on.
I went over there right after Andrew hit. Homestead more than Miami. But you could see areas that were wiped off the Earth and right across the street, the homes had their roofs on, they were still standing, very little structural damage at all. Maybe a pool enclosure was down here and there (another topic for another time comes to mind) but all in all, very good condition. Know why? Only if I tell you why.
Because they were in Communities that were built out by One Company; Toll Brothers, Pulte, even Lennar. A Company with on-site Supervisors that made sure codes were followed and construction guidleines were adhered to. They stood the test.
On the other side of the street where mostly Spec or even Custom Homes were built, where the home-buyer had only the City or Country Inspectors to rely on -- Flat as a pancake.
So the State Insurance Department started rating areas for Building Code Compliance. Like they rate for Fire Departments. Yes, Virginia. They grade Fire Departments.
The areas that got the lowest grades, thereby upping Insurance costs by as much 150% were..... You'll never guess in a Million years. But if you said, 'Big Cities' please see the Site Administrators for your prize.
It's almost always the same people causing most of the grief that the rest of us have to pay the price for. Big goobermint that is too crooked to do their jobs, Big Cities that are too corrupt to care.
After a while you might start to think that big goobermint could possibly, maybe, just a thought, might have some criminal elements to it.
nah
