The company that owns the Langford residential highrise that was evacuated this week said Saturday it has hired a third-party structural engineering firm to understand how best to address and remediate concerns with the building.
Centurion Properties did not provide a name or details on what company it is hiring or what fixes would be made, but said in a statement that it is working to develop a phased approach that will allow residents to briefly return to their units to remove all personal belongings.
“Further information will continue to be promptly shared as it becomes available,” Centurion said.
“Centurion empathizes with our residents and understands the level of frustration by the recent issues that have surfaced at RidgeView Place.”
The former Danbrook One building — now called RidgeView Place — has twice been evacuated in four years, first in December 2019 before Centurion acquired the building and the latest on Monday when an estimated 130 residents were told to leave due to seismic and structural concerns in the 11-storey building’s design and construction.
Centurion said it has increased resources for the affected residents, which includes “compassionate care assistance” totalling $250,000 that includes rent refunds and deposits.
The company said its is distributing “unconditional” $2,500 payments to all residents, on top of refunded rents and deposits.
It initially offered $1,000, and then upped it by $1,500.
Centurion said as of Saturday more than half of the additional cheques have been picked up.
The company said it is offering residents support in finding similar residential properties and hotels, and is extending the availability of moving trucks, movers and moving supplies.
The province stepped into the situation on Thursday, offering five days of support, including lodgings and food. The City of Langford said Friday the tenants of 54 of the building’s 90 units had registered for provincial emergency support.
>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected]
