Community Corner
Sagging Balcony Drags Down Residents
A porch that has been drooping for four years can't seem to get straightened out in court.
A sagging third-story balcony at the busy corner of Main Street at 11 Mile Road in downtown Royal Oak is dragging residents down.
In a post titled "Main and 11 Balcony Ready to Collapse Again?" readers express puzzlement at how the Main Street Lofts — a building that seems to be "falling apart" as one reader put it — is deemed safe so close to the Central Business District.
"(I am) wondering when the building will be tagged as unsafe by Code Enforcement," writes Royal Oak Patch reader Mark Itall.
"That building is one hot mess... unsightly, embarrassing, unsafe," writes KatPatMac.
A complaint recently filed by the Main Street Condo Owner's Association, states the association was awarded a sum of $78,981 against Sachse Construction but is seeking to make the award null and void it because they feel it is not adequate.
A timeline and summary of general allegations included in the complaint state:
- On or about July 20, 2009, the association brought suit against the developer, R.S.W. Development Group II, LLC, complaining of defective construction.
- The association also named the architect of the project, AZD Associates, Inc. and the L&A Structural Engineers as defendants.
- The association complained of leaks that might have been caused by improper construction of the roof, siding and flashing. The association also complained improper construction of balconies, doorwalls and windows might be the cause of buckling and sagging; and improper construction of the parking garage ceiling may be the cause of cracking, breaking, peeling and bubbling.
- On Feb. 1, 2011, R.S.W. Development Group II, LLC assigned the association its claims against Sachse under its contract.
- The association settled with the architect and engineer for their proportionate responsibility for the the improper design and engineering of the balconies, doorwalls and windows.
- The association and and Sachse Construction submitted to mediation in June 2011 but a resolution was not reached.
- The association filed its written Demand for Arbitration on July 20, 2011.
- The arbitration took place between Apr. 15 and Apr. 19, 2013.
Jason Craig, Royal Oak's chief building official, told Patch in May 2012 he has received multiple calls over the years on the sagging balcony, many from architects who notice it while driving through town. In 2011, a single stanchion or post was placed on the second-level balcony beneath the sagging balcony to help support it. In May 2012, wood columns were added.
Craig could not be reached for further comment on Friday.
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