Check this page for important information!
January 8, 2014 - - The frigid weather has caused pipes to freeze from vacant, unheated units. Units in the "B" line may not have running water. Overnight, the pipes thawed and started to flood units 2B and 1D.. and possibly 1C. Water has been shut-off to the "B" units, to minimize damage. There has been no damage reported above the 2nd floor. The plumber has been called and will address the repair as quickly as possible, probably only a one-day's wait.
January 8, 2014 - - Unit 1F reported water dripping thru bathroom ceiling. The cause was a frozen bathroom sink faucet in the unheated unit above [2D]. The valves under the sink were able to be closed, therefore stopping the flood.
January 9, 2014 - - More pipes burst, this time in the ceiling and walls of 1H and 2E, the result of both units being unheated. Water supply to the "E" line kitchen faucets [and baths] has been shut-off.
January 11, 2014 - - Plumbers disconnected and capped the water supply pipes to 2B, allowing the "B" line units to once again have normal water usage.
January 14, 2014 - - Plumbers have repaired all broken pipes. Water supply has been restored to all units.
January 18, 2014 - - A Board of Trustees meeting was held today. Minutes have been posted on the "Documents" page.
January 23, 2014 - - Names of delinquent condo-dues/assessments owners have been submitted to Leib Solutions [collection specialists]. The unit numbers are 1C, 1K, 2A, 2B, 2D, 2F, 4C, 4D, 4F, 5E, 7A, & 7C. They represent a total delinquency amount totaling approximately $280,000.00. It is ABSOLUTELY unlawful to not pay condo fees/assessments. These owners have made maintaining this building very difficult if not impossible.
January 27, 2014 - - Tamper-resistant locked covers have been installed over the hallway heating thermostats. The dials have been set to approximately 65°F. Many residents have been turning the dials "up," costing the association large electric bills. The purpose of the hallway heating units is to protect the building from "freeze" damage and not for the comfort of the residents. Thanks for understanding!
Summer 2014 - - The electronic front door entry system is up and running. Entry is by key, 4-digit code, and "keyfob"- a small blue plastic token that may be kept on a key ring. Each unit/resident has a private, personal code that allows the front door to be unlocked AND allows the elevator to access the basement laundry room area. Residents should not reveal their codes to ANYONE. Residents are responsible for activities and damage caused by "unauthorized users" knowing the codes. Residents may change their code numbers at any time by contacting the Super in 1J.
October 2014 - - The gas hot water heating tank is being replaced at a cost of $7,000. The old tank has been leaking and has become generally unreliable. The new tank is "Energy Efficient," saving fuel costs and will provide more gallons of hot water per hour.
UPDATE to keypad entry system - - The 4-digit codes have been modified to 5-digits. That was necessary due to unauthorized entrance by people "guessing" code numbers. ALSO, the keypad entry system SUPPLEMENTS the normal front-door KEY access. It does NOT replace the physical key. All residents should have a key in their possession. If and when an owner becomes delinquent with monthly dues payments, their keypad access code may be disabled without warning. Similarly, any observed unlawful behavior on the premises may result in the entry code being disabled.
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March 2017 - - The finances have been stable for several years [attributable to our excellent management company, Hawkeye.. along with help from the building Super and the Board President.]. Some units have been sold to new owners, and we have received arrears from some former delinquent owners thru bank foreclosures and the efforts of our attorney [liens, levies, judgments, etc.]. We have occasional plumbing issues with the 90-year-old pipes [as expected with the age] and have addressed these issues promptly. We have recently spent $16K for professional roofers and brick-workers to seal the exterior of the building [bricks, window lintels, and roof]. However, if defective windows cause rain water to enter, those windows are the property of the unit-owners, and it is their responsibility to maintain them [repairs and upkeep]. As far as safety and security, there is a network of video cameras "watching" the building. A month or so ago, the police executed a major "bust" 3 blocks from the Biarritz. That action has caused illegal drug trafficking to "move" onto our street. We [thru diligent surveillance] are monitoring the increased activity and implementing appropriate measures to insure that our property remains safe and secure.
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October 2017 - - In preparation of our mandatory 5-year inspection by the DCA [10/18/2017], we have repainted the stairwell walls top to bottom. Also stairwell doors have been painted. Two of the hallway walls have been repainted, floors 3 & 5. The 4th floor hallway will be repainted tomorrow [10/24/2017]. More hallways to come soon! The laundry room has been repainted. The exterior front facade of the building [lower 16 feet] has been power-washed, scraped, and caulked. In the next few days it will be repainted. These "maintenance/repairs/improvements" are the result of diligently collecting dues, managing our bank account responsibly, and acquiring new owners to replace "delinquent owners" for some units. Bids are being taken for the recarpeting of all hallways and repainting of the lobby to a color more fitting to our seashore location. A plan has been formulated to improve the hot water delivery system [It is slow to get hot water to some units, causing the occupants to run water for as long as 20 minutes.]. Next to ever-rising insurance costs, water is our largest $$ expenditure. At this point, there is no anticipated increase in condo dues $$ or any special or emergency assessments.
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March 2020 - - As the saying goes, "No news is good news." And in fact, the condo building has been improving steadily over the past few years. The Association is financially sound. Several units have been foreclosed upon, and new owners have bought-in. Very few units remain empty as a result of what we call "deadbeat owners." It's taken a couple years, but the hallways are being prepped for the new carpeting. A contractor has been hired to replace the old, beat-up wood base moldings on each floor. That project is currently underway.