Raze Order Issued For 'Dilapitated' Waukesha Condo

WAUKESHA, WI— The city of Waukesha has issued a raze order on Horizon West Condominiums, a month after 65 residents were forced to evacuate the structure.

The Waukesha Fire Department had ordered the Dec. 2 evacuation of the condo building, at 315 N. West Ave., because of deteriorating structural conditions at the building, the city said.

The raze order, dated Jan. 5, is addressed to the Condominium Association and individual unit owners of the condo, which gives 120 days to demolish the structure.

The six-story condo building, built in 1966, is described in the order as "so old, dilapidated, or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, so that in the judgment of the undersigned said building must be made safe by the razing and removal of such building."

The order is based on on-site observations and engineer reports, the document said.

Construction work had been going on for months, said condo resident Alicia Halvensleben.

Residents knew there were issues with the balconies, she said. Halvensleben said she spent $13,000 to have her balcony removed.

"The columns and beams that were partially exposed when balconies were removed display significant degradation due to heavy rusting, delamination and deterioration," the raze order document said. "Observable corrosion of the steel columns supporting the building's exterior has caused cross-sectional loss of steel in certain locations ranging from 10 to 30 percent."

With the balconies removed, the building slab supporting the floors showed signs of "significant degradation into the structure," the document said.

The document added that repairs are "presumed unreasonable."

GoFundMe Set Up

Halvensleben said on Friday it is unclear if the additional financial burden of the demolition will fall on the owners.

"The cost of such razing, removal and restoration of the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition will be charged in full or in part against the real estate upon which such building is located," the document said.

Halvensleben said some residents have qualified for housing assistance through insurance or other programs. The American Red Cross provided emergency shelter after the evacuation.

Patch reached out Friday to the fire department and city administrator to see if residents will be responsible for paying for the razing.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for the Waukesha condo residents/owners who were displaced.

The GoFundMe said the critical issue that caused the building to be unstable has been corrected for the time being. Residents were able to retrieve belongings, but only a small number of people at a time.

There has been no financial assistance, other than emergency Red Cross services, according to the GoFundMe, which was created Dec. 23.

"This building is still owned by 48 families!" the GoFundMe said. "There is a high probability, that no insurance money will be paid, since it wasn't a disaster or an act of God that caused this - it may be years before culpability is determined. Many of the families have mortgages - technically responsible for a mortgage and now - rent."

As of Friday, the GoFundMe has raised $8,700.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.