Dockside Association misses deadline for requested reports by City of Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Dockside Association failed to meet the deadline set by the City of Charleston, which was Mar. 7 at 5 p.m. for an engineer to provide specific reports requested by the city.

City officials requested two reports from the association regarding the possible threat the tower poses to nearby properties and corrective action summary. This included “reduced live load considerations” and a “visual interior condition survey,” since residents were evacuated on Feb. 28. The association noted they needed more time to complete these reports.

“We are in frequent communication with the City of Charleston and working towards the updated goal of providing a response timeline as soon as possible regarding any potential threat to neighboring buildings. Needed assessments regarding the integrity of our building requires additional testing analysis by our structural engineer. That testing is underway, but this is a complex issue, and we need the analysis to be accurate,” Dockside Board of Directors said.

The Dockside Condominiums continue to be evaluated as the structure was vacated due to concrete slabs being “significantly overstressed,” and the need for “substantial structural strengthening.”

“The evacuation of our residents and some of their belongings has decreased the weight load on the building and made the additional load testing more efficient,” said Dockside Board of Directors.

News 2 obtained emails between the city and the association with Dockside responding that they need much more time to get answers. However, the city also requested engineers look at cracks in existing finishes and concrete during the visual survey. The association said “visual inspections are of limited utility at this point because it only reflects conditions on the day of inspection.”

The Dockside Association also added “a punching shear failure may occur with little or no advance warning.”

Officials mentioned they intend to work together to remove residents’ belongings if it is safe to do so.

The city is requesting a report on the likelihood of a progressive tower floor collapse by 5 p.m. on Mar. 14, which the association said they need more time for that as well.