$135 Million redevelopment of Berkman II proposed

[fieldafm]

For those that claim that the integrity of an exposed building like that can be known up front, please note that you were wrong.

The demo contractor and their cockamamey method of trying to dismantle the building caused the structural defect, Professor.

[fsu813]

cockamamey

That's a curse word in 14 different countries. Tread lightly!

[acme54321]

For those that claim that the integrity of an exposed building like that can be known up front, please note that you were wrong.

The demo contractor and their cockamamey method of trying to dismantle the building caused the structural defect, Professor.

What's so crazy about their method?  It's not like they are the first ones to demolish a building that size conventionally.  The high reach demolition excavator they were using is designed specifically for the job.

[heights unknown]

When they first announced that it would be demolished that way, I thought it was odd, and, it would probably take a long time. I even questioned in my mind why they would choose this type method over demolition; but what do I know? Nothing about things of this nature. I've never seen any type high rise demolished in this way and never knew this was a method type. However, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put 2 and 2 together to get a sum total. It never really entered my mind that by them using this method, that it might initiate some type of structural damage or weakness. Yes it's been sitting there for upteen number of years, with the elements etc., but would the elements and exposure really weaken the structure that much? They just need to get it demolished with explosives and get to work on the new development.

[Ken_FSU]

What a mess.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/01/11/jacksonville-mayor-seeks-1-2-million-imploding-berkman-ii/9172125002/

[jaxoNOLE]

You would think there should be a legal point of no return for a demolition company. It is hard to believe they could intentionally weaken the structure of a high-rise, then pack up and walk away with all of their mitigation measures over a contract dispute and leave hundreds of uninvolved parties at risk.

I'm sure it's fastest to stick with the contractor who is already set up on site, but Pece of Mind hasn't exactly been knocking this demo out of the park. Do we expect different results when the city starts footing the bill? Finally, I'd have to assume this bodes very poorly for the prospect of the proposed redevelopment.

[thelakelander]

This development has always sounded shaky. My advice is don't get your hopes up too high.

[BridgeTroll]

What a mess.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/01/11/jacksonville-mayor-seeks-1-2-million-imploding-berkman-ii/9172125002/

Rofl...

[Ken_FSU]

This development has always sounded shaky.

Don't jinx it.

The structural integrity is already compromised.

[acme54321]

SHOCKING

[heights unknown]

You would think there should be a legal point of no return for a demolition company. It is hard to believe they could intentionally weaken the structure of a high-rise, then pack up and walk away with all of their mitigation measures over a contract dispute and leave hundreds of uninvolved parties at risk.

I'm sure it's fastest to stick with the contractor who is already set up on site, but Pece of Mind hasn't exactly been knocking this demo out of the park. Do we expect different results when the city starts footing the bill? Finally, I'd have to aSssume this bodes very poorly for the prospect of the proposed redevelopment.

So...after walking away, did the Contractor keep the rest of the money? As someone said, yes, this is a mess, a hot and cold mess. They should get someone different to do the job if the original contractor has been inept and "misfit" in completing the job. Tsk, tsk, tsk...I just don't know.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ The developer sounds like they hired someone from the City to negotiate the demo contract.  The risk should be primarily covered by the demo contractor's insurer as the contractor is doing the work "regularly" and should have a specialized policy to cover their potential liability, as would any contractor, typically.  The  costs of any premium is baked into the demo quote. 

And, how do you not have all your ducks lined up before you start spending the big bucks to move forward?  I am talking about permits, engineering, testing and other factors that need to fall in line before you physically ever touch the site in any substantial way.  A proper contract should lay out the sequence of steps leading to completion with a timeline and maybe even an allocation of the total costs to each step (to come up with percentage of completion payments). 

This contractor is supposedly very experienced so I don't understand how this got to this point.  Further, this wasn't some structure with hidden issues underground or behind walls, it is totally exposed.  Surprises should be minimal if they knew what they were doing.

The only issue would be if the City originally issued a "final" permit for the implosion and then withdrew it.  If it was just a preliminary or verbal approval, the contractor and developer should have held out for the "final" before moving forward.  If the City withdrew a "final," then the City gets the blame here.  Wouldn't be surprised by this latter scenario given the City's history.

Also, see Nate Monroe's take on the Berkman "curse":  https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2022/01/11/jacksonville-mayor-seeks-1-2-million-imploding-berkman-ii/9172125002/

[heights unknown]

As per Haley Harrison on Twitter: "JUST IN: Jacksonville City Council approved (15-1) an emergency ordinance that will set aside $1.2m from the general fund to cover the remainder of the costs for the demolition of the Berkman II building. I'll explain why the city decided to step in on @FCN2go at 11 p.m."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/jacksonville-city-council-approves-funding-for-berkman-ii-demolition/ar-AASFW4M?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

[vicupstate]

I get the feeling that the city will end up owning this land in the not too distant future. They will likely pay off the demo company's lien and satisfy the city's own lien by taking the property for itself. 

[fieldafm]

There's a lot more to this story than what's in the TU article.

The developer and contractor have performed in a manner that has been less than is desirable.  The HOA next door at Berkman was wise to start raising alarm bells when the demo contractor had trouble using the extended excavator for a few days after its initial delivery. There's a reason why many cities don't allow for that type of demo above a certain height. 

There aren't any heroes in this story, which includes the administration for allowing it to get to this point.