Evidence is mounting that the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, obliterating the lives of more than 150 people, was the result of condo owners' failure to heed multiple warnings of structural failures and decay. Some speculate that global warming could have been a culprit behind the decay, but that doesn't excuse the condo board from undertaking the necessary maintenance required to keep the building structurally sound. Sometimes those expenses are high, but that's the burden any property owner must bear to keep a structure up to code.

It would be a miracle if any more survivors were pulled from the wreckage after nearly two weeks of frantic efforts to lift thousands of tons of concrete slab that collapsed in pancake fashion while residents of the 12-story condo slept on June 24.

The Miami Herald obtained photos from the building's basement before the collapse showing significant deterioration of a primary support beam. Rusted rebar was visible along with large cracks on the beam. Given the key role such a beam would play in structural integrity, the likelihood is strong that building-safety officials should have ordered a full evacuation long before the collapse.

The collapse and severe loss of life represents a catastrophic failure, not just of the building's owners and maintenance staff but also of local government inspectors whose job is to ensure that safety and adherence to code takes a priority over whatever hassles or expenses property owners might complain about.

In Florida, the Champlain Towers condo association board had been informed years ago that major — and expensive — repairs were needed to correct construction flaws and other conditions that had allowed moisture to soak through the building's foundation. The board sat through a PowerPoint presentation in November in which the urgency of completing those repairs was made clear to all.

According to National Public Radio, one slide explained in bold, uppercase lettering: "WHY WE HAVE TO DO ALL THIS NOW." Another warned, "This Will Be Expensive No Matter What Choices We Make. The main expenses by far are related to items that are not cosmetic or even seen: concrete, roof, generator room, fire wall."

Condo board president Jean Wodnicki wrote to residents in April that the building's deterioration was accelerating: "When you can visually see the concrete spalling (cracking), that means that the rebar holding it together is rusting and deteriorating beneath the surface."

But the board and residents continued to bicker over the expense — upwards of $12 million. Now, many of those people are almost certainly among the dead. Whether anyone can be held criminally responsible is a question that could take years to sort out. But no amount of apologies and statements of regret can make up for this wanton and deadly display of negligence.

REPRINTED FROM THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

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