CLEARWATER, Fla. – Residents of the South Beach III Condominium located at 1460 Gulf Boulevard are being allowed to partially reoccupy the building following the installation of emergency shoring to stabilize a damaged support column.
The building was evacuated last week after a crack was discovered in a support column near the northwest corner.
Karins Engineering was retained to assess the damage and recommended immediate evacuation until shoring could be installed and the column stabilized. Working closely with General Contractor Suncoast Restoration, Karins Engineering designed and detailed specific shoring installation drawings for the damaged column.
Suncoast Restoration then installed the shoring at each level, extending from the ground-level parking garage up to the underside of the roof slab.
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On May 12, 2025, David Karins, PE and Joshua Mannix, PE of Karins Engineering inspected the installed shoring at each level and determined that it had been installed in general conformance with their shoring drawings and field directives. As a result, Karins Engineering has determined the column is stabilized and the building is safe for re-occupancy under specific conditions.
The partial re-opening comes with several stipulations for residents, and some units will remain closed until supplemental shoring is installed within those units.
Further conditions include a moratorium on construction within any units without prior written approval from Karins Engineering.
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Karins Engineering and the condo property management have maintained close communication with city building inspectors throughout the process and have been granted immediate permission to allow residents to re-enter the building under these specified conditions. Further updates on the permanent repair schedule are expected as the project progresses.
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