Inspectors close other balconies in condo complex after collapse that injured students

Cincinnati building inspectors told residents of a Corryville condominium complex Monday to stay off their balconies until they determine why a balcony attached to one of the units collapsed Oct. 17, injuring 10 people.

Ed Cunningham, deputy director of the city’s department of buildings and inspections, said inspectors still are investigating the collapse and have not determined a cause. But he said other balconies in the complex that were built the same way will be closed until further notice.

“We want to err on the side of caution until we decide what’s going on here,” Cunningham said.

The balcony that collapsed broke off from the side of a condominium unit on the second floor of a building on the 200 block of Stetson Street late Oct. 17, while eight to 10 people gathered on it during a party. Witnesses have said many were University of Cincinnati students.

The balcony tumbled about 20 feet to the parking lot below, leaving metal and concrete debris strewn on the pavement. Six people remained hospitalized Monday, one of them in critical condition.

The owner of the condo unit, Hezekiel Eskender, said he’s hired a structural engineer to examine the balcony while city inspectors conduct their investigation. He said the Dayton company that manages the complex, Eclipse Community Management, did repairs on the balcony about two years ago.

Eskender, who owns one unit in the complex, said Eclipse handled the repairs because it is responsible for structures outside the condominiums, such as the roof and balconies. He said he did not have information about the nature of the repairs.

“I don’t know what was done,” he said. “They said it was fixed.”

Cunningham said he found no inspection records or permits related to a repair, but the city typically does not require a permit or inspection unless the work being done is significant or involves structural changes. The Enquirer has requested all inspection records for the building, but those were not immediately available. The building and balcony were built in 2006.

Officials at Eclipse could not be reached to comment about the balcony or the repairs and did not respond to phone messages. After the balcony collapse, Eclipse’s director of finance, Stephanie Welter, sent an email to residents in the condominium complex that included few details about the collapse but assured them “the situation is being addressed with the highest priority.”

City officials have not indicated how long its investigation into the balcony collapse might take.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati building inspectors close other balconies after collapse