Lauderdale building demolition too close for comfort?

FORT LAUDERDALE Demolition work brought down a five-story condominium next to the former Ireland's Inn on Wednesday, with at least one neighbor concerned for the safety of passers-by.

Eduardo Rosas Loranca said he witnessed falling debris narrowly miss one bicyclist, who he said had to veer out of the way. Rosas Loranca said there was little warning to people of the potential danger caused by the work on east side of State Road A1A south of Northeast 23rd Street.

Andy Mitchell, one of the partners developing the future Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, which will also include the former Ireland's Inn property, said he was on site all morning and said there were no close calls and no one was endangered. Mitchell said a small piece of debris did hit the fence enclosure, with some dust and powder needing to be swept up from the roadway.

Rosas Loranca said the only alert was a worker in the middle of A1A dressed in black with an orange flag waving northbound traffic to shift to the west after cars and pedestrians were already on top of the demolition site.

City spokesman Chaz Adams said the city has sent out an inspector to investigate after learning of the complaint.

Lbarszewski@tribpub.com or 954-356-4556

Read this article:
Lauderdale building demolition too close for comfort?