CLEARWATER, Fla — Construction crews continued to stabilize the condo building on Sand Key after it was evacuated after a crack was found in the parking garage.
Clearwater Police (CPD) said they were called to the South Beach III Condos at 1460 Gulf Boulevard around 3:55 p.m. Tuesday after construction workers renovating the bottom floor parking garage saw a crack in a concrete column.
Pictures of the concrete pillar were posted on the Clearwater Police Department's social media
Here’s a look at the damaged pillar that prompted the evacuation of the South Beach III condominium building on Sand Key on Tuesday. Construction crews remain on scene working to stabilize the building. pic.twitter.com/ragmjq2m28
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) May 7, 2025
No structure collapse was found when first responders arrived, but officials were concerned about a crack, which continued to grow, so they ordered the complete evacuation of the Gulfside building.
Clearwater Fire Division Chief Jevon Graham said first responders took no chances, in light of the deadly Surfside condo collapse in Miami in June 2021.
“It’s obviously in the back of everybody’s mind," Graham said.
Watch latest on condo evacuation from Chad Mills
Within an hour and a half, the 12-story building was completely evacuated, and technical rescue engineers were requested.
Police said the building was about 40 percent occupied and they evacuated about 60 people from the building.
Around 9 p.m., the scene was turned over to the private contractor and engineer.
The work to repair the crack and stabilize the condo building is expected to continue into Wednesday.
Picture of construction crews shoring pillar from the City of Clearwater
Condo owners like David Zusman had to leave their belongings behind as they were escorted out of the building. He and dozens of others are displaced at least overnight.
“I’m just going to have to find a hotel and then go from there," he said.
However, to Zusman, it’s a small price to pay for safety.
“I think this is going to be a very small inconvenience, and in the realm of things that could have happened, I think that’s a very small thing," he said.
Both he and another condo owner said the building is well-maintained and managed, so they have no doubt the issue will be fixed and fixed adequately.
The City of Clearwater said its building officials will not allow people to return to the building until a structural engineer provides a report that it is safe to occupy.
“I think, like more people feel compelled to say something now if they hadn’t been before.”
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