Kings Point condo in West Delray closer to getting repairs

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel

By Chantal Abitbol
Posted April 27, 2006

WEST DELRAY · Six months after Hurricane Wilma, Lynne Paley, 64, says she can't leave her home in Kings Point when it rains because she needs to be there to empty the water buckets from her leaking roof.

But she found out Wednesday her problems could soon be over.

More than 100 residents met with management and construction officials who plan to jumpstart the reconstruction effort at the beleaguered development west of Delray Beach. The parties signed a contract that outlines emergency and remedial work as well as roof and interior repairs. Representatives from Southern Construction Services Inc. and Prime Management could not be reached by phone for comment.

"We're taking a step forward. We've come from opposite ends of the earth to come to a new agreement," said Edward Hammel, an attorney representing the Kings Point Condominium Association.

Tuscany is one of four complexes covered under the contract. The others are Flanders, Monaco and Brittany.

Each complex must pay a $74,000 deductible to begin construction. The work will begin 10 days after the contract is authorized and the total payment is delivered, Hammel said.

Southern Construction agreed to start work and accept the settlement offered by the insurance company despite the fact that the final claim hasn't been determined, he said.

Prime Management, which oversees a majority of Kings Point's 7,200 units, has been negotiating for months with insurance companies trying to get them to cover the costs of needed repairs.

Seven crews are scheduled to work on the project.

Residents, many who have been banished from their homes, are wary. Some of them were frustrated that only board members were allowed to ask questions at the meeting.

Sharon Mclean, 63, a resident of Brittany-B, is renting another unit in the complex because hers is unlivable. She says her upstairs is gutted and her roof needs to be replaced. She doubts the work will start anytime soon.

"There is no start date," she said.

Paley, who lives in Tuscany F, agreed.

"When I see it, I'll believe it," she said. "I'm so sick of it all. I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I'm not functioning well. If it gets much worse, I won't be able to stay."

OMBUDSMAN

HOME NEWS PAGE