Reasons to Weep: Pictures taken today of the NEW Casino building...

I took these pictures today.  Similar ones appear in the Lake Worth Herald.  It seems as though there is water problem - which is an understatement.  I guess it's a problem when it rains.  But it turns out that not only the wooden floor in the ballroom has sustained damage, but water is leaking into the first floor tenant spaces - which prevents them from building out what they have to do to open.

The city never had a project manager assigned to oversee its interests through the construction process.  Instead, reliance was placed upon the contractor, architect and construction trades.  The city believed that with the fixed-price contract it didn't need any oversight, since the contractor was working for the city.  WRONG!

It's our money that was spent here.  We own this building.  We also own the problems if they are not corrected.

The building isn't even open and we have obvious corrosion.  Substandard materials were used because they we less expensive than corrosion-resistant ones.  Maintenance will be an issue even if the correct materials are used.

You can't see it too well here, but the wooden floor in the ballroom shows some buckling.

The second floor restaurant space also has the same problem.  I don't think it will be an easy fix to "re-pitch" the second floor walkway so that water drains away from the building.

These are the doors on the first floor - they are under a covered area so are not similarly affected.

Home Depot for fans anyone?

I thought I would end with a hopeful vista showing the new tower.  We have to remember that this is new construction!  They didn't have to work around any existing conditions since the building was essentially torn down.  They might have more of an excuse if they used more of the former building.

 Pictures here show the small portion of the building that was left after near total demolition.