Myth vs Reality
“This condition [water damage] has been largely masked for over two decades by the choice of redwood for siding. Redwood…effectively hid the issues within the structure resulting in the possible widespread damage currently in place.”
August Hasz
PE, Resource Group Inc., 2009
Myth #6
The HOA ignored problems and avoided funding repairs when they began appearing as early as 1987.
REALITY
The first repairs go back to 1987. Starting in the early ‘90s, the HOA hired building experts to produce studies and recommendations. Numerous emergency repair projects were enacted as a result.
Myth #7
The HOA was delinquent in funding its capital reserves account, resulting in inadequate maintenance and now wants the City to bail it out.
REALITY
The HOA was diligent in annually funding its capital reserves and increasing homeowner assessments except for one year of a refund following some major repairs which the HOA thought would fix the problems. The HOA doesn’t want a bail out. Homeowners want cooperation and a dialogue to come up with good ideas. They want officials to recognize that their policies have hamstrung our ability to fix these massive issues. As a part of Aspen’s workforce, homeowners should be able to live in safe and healthy housing under the City and County’s purview.
Myth #8
The HOA ignored the problems until 2009.
REALITY
The HOA spent hundreds of dollars on emergency repairs between 1987 and 2009. Repairs were made as problems revealed themselves. The HOA had no way of knowing until the Athen Builders report in 2009 that the problems were masked for decades by the choice of redwood siding and are possibly pervasive throughout the complex. Without tearing all of the siding down, there is no way to know how extensive these moisture issues are to this day.
Myth #9
Homeowners are only suing the City to get their deed restrictions lifted and become free market units so they can make a windfall when they sell.
REALITY
Homeowners felt that their only way to get the City’s attention was to file a lawsuit. They do not want to lose the deed restrictions because they want to stay in their homes. They support affordable housing and are fighting for a reasonable solution.
Myth #1
Centennial is publicly-subsidized housing.
REALITY
There is no record of public funds of any kind being used to subsidize Centennial. It received no government subsidies other than donation of land (an EPA Superfund site) and some fee reductions.
Myth #2
The 148 Centennial rental units do not have the same issues.
REALITY
The rentals underwent massive repair and reconstruction over roughly 12 years for the same issues, which were funded by the original developer.
Myth #3
Centennial's problems were caused by “deferred maintenance.”
REALITY
Specifically refuted by a slew of engineers, building experts, a city building official, and a mayor. Design flaws, shoddy construction and poor or non-existent building materials are the proven source of the problems. The HOA has maintained proper capital repair assessments and spent consideration funds on annual maintenance issues.
Myth #4
The HOA has “no skin in the game” (i.e., hasn’t paid for any repairs)
REALITY
The HOA has spent $1.5 million trying to mitigate the design flaws and reverse damage as well as provide normal annual maintenance.
Myth #5
City staff have provided City Council and BOCC with proper recommendations.
REALITY
A former (fired) assistant city manager blatantly misrepresented Centennial’s history, downplayed the severity of issues, under-reported costs, changed or skewed factual data, and tried to incorrectly assign blame and responsibility to homeowners. Others in positions of power continue to believe his factual inaccuracies.
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