December 19, 2019

City of Langford warns residents after new highrise deemed potentially unsafe

The City of Langford is taking the unusual step of warning residents in a brand-new highrise apartment building that their homes may not be safe.

The 90-unit Danbrook One development just opened to renters at 2766 Claude Rd. in the spring. Last month, it won an excellence award from the Victoria Real Estate Board. But now B.C.’s professional engineering regulator is raising concerns about the building’s design and construction.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) told the city on Dec. 3 that one of its members who works in Langford is under investigation due to concerns about their work.

Langford city staff have now hired an outside engineering firm to undertake an independent investigation into the safety of the building, one of the tallest in the city.

In the meantime, the city says it is providing support to tenants who choose to immediately vacate the building.

That support includes temporary hotel accomodations, money to cover moving expenses and assistance finding comparable rental accomodations in the area – all paid for by the city.

Currently, 86 of the building’s 90 units are occupied.

“The building owner, Centurion Property Associates, is cooperating and will provide relocation assistance to tenants through their property manager,” the city added.

Langford staff say the city was first notified in April that a complaint had been lodged against the EGBC engineer working in the municipality.

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