We would like to provide an update on how BOMA International is responding to the tragic condominium collapse in Surfside, Fla. After careful consideration, BOMA International decided to co-convene a building safety symposium this past Tuesday with the International Code Council and the National Institute of Building Sciences. The daylong event, “Ensuring the Safety of Existing Buildings,” was hosted in West Palm Beach, Fla., by the Building Officials Association of Florida.
While the situation in Surfside is unrelated to commercial real estate, we thought it was important that BOMA help lead this national conversation on building safety. I moderated a panel on “Property Management and the Real Estate Industry” that included BOMA Government Affairs Committee chair Mary Lantz of JLL and BOMA Fellow John Scott of Colliers.
The goal of the day was to establish a channel for the building safety community to develop information to help inform policy makers as they consider questions raised by the collapse of Champlain Towers South. The event did not address the causation of the building collapse while investigations continue, but focused on broader questions related to maintenance, inspections, structural safety, and the application of current building codes and standards. Participants in this initial gathering represented a wide range of organizations, including experts from the code enforcement, building, construction, design and real estate communities.
This meeting covered a lot of ground in one day and is expected to lead to further discussions. We’ll continue to keep you informed, and please let us know if you have questions or need any help with this issue.
Ken
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Ken Rosenfeld
Director of State and Local Affairs
BOMA International
1101 15th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
krosenfeld@boma.org
202-326-6364 (direct)