Updated Friday at 6:35 PM: San Marcos Officials Lift Evacuation Order, Allow Occupancy Of Vie Lofts

September 27, 2019

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Updated on September 27, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Statement from Derrick Milam, Co-Founder of Vie Management.

“We have been working diligently with the City of San Marcos for the past week and after a meeting this afternoon, they have issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for a portion of our building. They also confirmed that this is and was not any question about the structural integrity of our building.

The city is allowing some residents to move home. At this time they have split floors three through six and are allowing 89 residents to move back in. The reason for this split is a concern with one of the stairwells and they are requiring that we fix this stairwell before the entire building is reopened.

We are communicating with each of our residents to inform them if they are able to move in as early as tomorrow at 1 p.m. or if due to construction, they will need to be in temporary accommodations for the next 3-4 weeks. Our goal is to complete the work and get everyone moved back in sooner than 4 weeks.

We also have 65 open spaces in the open side of our building and any resident not able to move back in does have the option to be roommate matched and move back in by the end of next week.

Through this tough situation, we owe a big thank you to all our hotel partners who have worked with us around the clock making sure our residents have the accommodations they need. Also, thank you to GemStar Construction & Dev. for being so flexible and working hand in hand with us to get our residents back home as soon as possible.”

Published on September 27, 2019 at 5:17 PM

The City of San Marcos lifted the evacuation order for Vie Lofts, 817 Chestnut St. as of 5:10 PM today, Friday, Sept. 27 and issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for a portion of the building.

This allows occupancy of the building and residents will be contacted by Vie Lofts management to coordinate move-in.

On Friday, Sept. 20, the Fire Marshal presented the Notice of Unsafe Conditions, Imminent Danger and Order to Evacuate the Premises to Vie Lofts management and owners based on the International Fire Code, 2015 edition, Sections 110.1 and 110.2. The cause of the evacuation was unsafe conditions that include, but were not limited to inadequate means of egress which were due to inadequate maintenance.

The City hired Unified Building Sciences & Engineering Inc (UBSE) of Richardson, TX, a third-party forensic engineering firm to conduct an onsite inspection and provide an independent report regarding the structural damage present in Stairwell A, as well as to evaluate the overall structural integrity of the building and adjacent retaining wall.

UBSE provided a written report to the City with a determination that the overall concrete superstructure of the building is not damaged or distressed; however, the walls of Stairwell A on levels B2 & B3 MUST be demolished and reconstructed. Full findings of the report may be found in the included attachment.

Upon receipt of the independent report that the main structure was not compromised, City Fire and Building Inspection personnel advised the owners that a Life Safety Plan could be submitted which would address all immediate life safety hazards and upon plan approval and inspection, the building could be occupied. The owners completed this plan of action.

“All immediate life safety hazards as identified by our City team have been addressed and repaired,” said Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner. “All fire safety systems have passed inspection, as well as the elevator being back in operation and having increased safety measures in place for its use. We’ve worked cooperatively with Vie Lofts ownership and appreciate their diligent efforts to provide a safe place for residents to return.”

The next steps in the process will require owners to complete an application and be issued permits to demolish and make the required repairs to Stairwell A and to complete the remodel work of the clubhouse, fitness and study areas that had been started without a permit.

They will also be required to finish addressing any outstanding building punch list items that were not required to be completed prior to the temporary certificate of occupancy being issued and provide a permanent solution for the elevator operation.

The City of San Marcos expresses its heartfelt thanks to the residents and their families for their cooperation and patience during this past week as we worked to make sure safety was a priority.

Vie Lofts Inspection UBSE Letter 9-24-2019

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