Long Beach apartment building in danger of collapse

Residents of the Seabreeze Tower on Long Beach's oceanfront rushed to remove jewelry, pets and photo albums Sunday before police were expected to lock the condemned building's doors, days after an engineer found its walls were in danger of collapsing.

The residents could be barred from returning for a month or more, said Long Beach City Manager Charles Theofan - however long it takes to shore up concrete support columns weakened by decades of exposure to salt air and moisture. Theofan said the repairs might cost about $150,000, but added that was only a preliminary estimate.

In the meantime, at least 20 residents are out of their homes for the holidays, moving in with parents, in-laws or friends, if they are lucky.

"The people who live here don't have the funds to pay the mortgage here and live somewhere else," said resident Jack Grainville, a retired New York City firefighter. Grainville was packing the last of his family pictures away yesterday afternoon, but invited a reporter onto his balcony to see the view. He looked straight out onto the ocean. The sun was low and a lone surfer was in the water.

"The first time I saw this, I said, 'Holy mackerel!' I'm going to die here. That was 12 years ago," Grainville said.

Residents first learned of the problem at a hurriedly called meeting Wednesday night. A day later, they said, a letter from Huntington-based engineer Jordan Ruzz to Long Beach building commissioner Scott Kemins was posted in the lobby.

"Partial or complete collapse due to spontaneous buckling of the column sections that have not yet been exposed is possible," it warned. Condemnation notices were later posted on each apartment door.

The 40-unit, seven-floor building at 250 Shore Rd. was built in 1961, according to property records. At least two units are for sale, one for $199,000 and another for $205,000.

Residents complained there had been inadequate communication from building management about problems and possible solutions. City officials met with residents Saturday but residents, who will have to pay for the repairs, said they received little information.

"You've got a bunch of confused, scared, angry people," said tenant Carlos Yera, 48, a plumber.

Members of the co-op board and Island Development Management, which manages the building, could not be reached Sunday.

Theofan said the city will expedite any construction permits.

Residents were given two hours Saturday and two more Sunday to remove their belongings.Others may be able to retrieve items by appointment with the city, Theofan said.