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The mandatory evacuation for Vie Lofts was lifted on Friday.
The apartment located at 817 Chestnut St. was issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for a portion of the building, which allows occupancy of the building and residents will be contacted by Vie Lofts to coordinate a move-in, the City of San Marcos announced Friday afternoon.
San Marcos Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner issued a mandatory evacuation on Sept. 20 after concerns of inadequate means of egress, which were due to inadequate maintenance, the city said in a press release.
The city hired Unified Building Sciences & Engineering Inc (UBSE) of Richardson — a third party forensic engineering firm —to to conduct an onsite inspection and provide an independent report regarding the damage present in stairwell A and to evaluate the overall structural integrity of the building.
In a written report UBSE provided to the city, it determined that “the overall concrete superstructure of the building is not damaged or distressed; however, the walls of Stairwell A on levels B2 & B3 must be demolished and reconstructed.”
City Fire and Building Inspection personnel advised Vie Lofts’ owners that a Life Safety Plan could be submitted which would address all safety hazards and the building could be occupied after the plan was approved and the building was inspected.
“All immediate life safety hazards as identified by our City team have been addressed and repaired,” said Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner. “All fire safety systems have passed inspection, as well as the elevator being back in operation and having increased safety measures in place for its use. We’ve worked cooperatively with Vie Lofts ownership and appreciate their diligent efforts to provide a safe place for residents to return.”
According to the city, Vie Lofts owners will now have to complete an application and be issued permits to demolish and make required repairs to Stairwell A and complete the remodel work of the clubhouse, fitness and study areas that had been started without a proper permit.
Vie Lofts will also be required to finish addressing any outstanding building punch list items that were not required to be completed prior to the temporary certificate of occupancy being issued and provide a permanent solution for the elevator operation, the city said.
