ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A new report shows part of The Rialto Apartments shifted downward earlier this month after a three-foot-deep gap opened beneath the complex.
A report submitted to Orange County by engineers reveals the void spans 15 feet wide under two stacks of apartments in the building.
The structural shift prompted more than 350 residents to evacuate the apartments located on Sand Lake Road.
Engineers are now investigating the cause of the gap, specifically looking to see if a sinkhole or other soil issues may have caused the void.
The report explains that the primary gap opened between the concrete slab propping up the building and the soil underneath two specific stacks, 45 and 47.
While that void is the most significant, engineers identified smaller gaps in several other locations throughout the property.
These secondary gaps range in size from half an inch to four inches.
The loss of support beneath the building caused visible structural issues within the units.
Impacted stacks saw floors begin to slope, and the shift resulted in several doors becoming jammed.
To stabilize the structure, engineers have ordered temporary shoring work to support the building below the concrete slab. While a timeline for the work is uncertain, engineers said it could exceed 60-days.
Orange County officials confirmed that “no occupancy” signs remain clearly posted at the apartment complex.
The county stated that the building must remain vacant until a full repair plan is permitted and all work passes official inspections.
In a statement, the county said, “At this time, we have clearly posted “no occupancy” on the affected structures until all repairs have been permitted, inspected, and occupancy reinstated, or the engineer deems the building or portions thereof as safe to occupy.
The investigating engineer has ordered temporary shoring work, which will commence as directed. We have asked for a detailed list of all required emergency repairs and, when completed, documentation that the temporary repairs or shoring have been installed in accordance with their design. We may inspect the temporary shoring measures once that stage is reached. At this time, no timeline can be provided for the shoring work or for when an inspection may occur.
After that, they will continue with the subsurface investigation and structural analysis. The preliminary engineer letter states, “The anticipated duration of this work is uncertain but may exceed sixty days.”
Once the investigation is completed, engineered plans for repairs will need to be submitted as part of a permit application. Our team will assist with permitting and inspections and support the customer until the final inspection and certificate of occupancy have been issued."
Channel 9 has a crew working to gather more details and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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