104-2001 LTC CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
City Hall 2nd Floor, 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DR., MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci .maimi-beach .fi .us
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Date May 22, 2001
To: Mayor Neisen O, Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez ~./'~
City Manager
Subject: GOLDS GYM
1231 14TH ST, MIAMI BEACH
The Building Official has informed me that he is declaring Gold's Gym an unsafe structure and taking
immediate action to vacate the building and that it shall not be occupied until a further structural
evaluation of the building has been submitted and approved. Gold's Gym is currently operating under
a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).
As a result of a media coverage on Gold's Gym, it was noted by the Building Department Chief Structural
Engineer that the roof was being used for gym activities. This information was given to the Building
Official who initiated an inspection to verify if the roof was being used improperly. The Chief Building
inspector confirmed that the roof was being used and a cease and desist order was issued on May 21,
2001, since this roof was not designed for this type of use.
Upon further review of the approved plans by the Chief Structural Engineer, it was determined that there
is a discrepancy between the permitted structural drawings and the permitted shop drawings, for the
precast floor joists. Some of the items in question are as follows:
1. The Engineer of Record design requires a 24" joist with 6" lightweight concrete slab at 4'-8" on
center, however the precast engineer used a 28" joist with a 2" concrete build up and 6" concrete
slab.
2. The Engineer of Record design requires a 16" joist at 3'-6" spacing with a 6" slab using a design
load of 100 psf (pounds per square foot) live load, however precast engineer designed for 30 psf
live load with joist spacing of 6'-65/8" and only 4" slab,
3. The 2nd floor slab is supporting the 3rd floor and roof structure. The Engineer of Record design
require an approximate load of 27,000 pounds. The calculations submitted shows a design for
a total of plus 5,000 pounds, this was later revised by the precast joist engineer to plus 13,000
pounds.
Based on the aforementioned, the Building Department Chief Structural Examiner notified the Building
Official that these deficiencies pose an imminent danger to the public and, as a result, he is ordedng the
building vacated until their Engineer of Record provides a structural evaluation of the building (anticipated
to be submitted by noon tomorrow 5/23) to determine that it is safe for continued use and occupancy,
if you have any questions please contact me. m:~$cmb~temp~goldsmem.wpd