A few neighbors have indicated that the lobby renovation cost far too much. I decided to look at the budget to see what's got people upset. It took me only a few minutes to to realize somethings not right.
Some highlights:
- How could a union painter spend 120 hours—three full weeks—to paint the inside of a single elevator? (Paid $3,264 ÷ $27/hour = 120 hours). At the most it's an 8 hour job and that's being generous. Why would the "design committee" allow such a ridiculous expense!? We over paid by more than $3,000
- The black stone tile, I counted them. This is upsetting. 70 lobby ___, 60 lobby__the party room_____Why did we pay $100 per square foot for stone tile that typically costs $15?
- Plaster TBD
- Paint TBD
We were informed in January that the lobby upgrades would cost $200,000. So why did the board quietly move an extra $30,000 from reserves into the lobby budget. So where did the $30K go?
What we have here is just another no-bid contract handed to a friend or relative—a practice condo boards are never supposed to follow because it assures abuse and corruption.
Take a Look Around
You've walked through the lobbies. They’re improved—but do they reflect a $230,000 special assessment?
What Was Done:
-
Black tile border around the perimeter. In the 70 lobby I counted the number of tiles. 120 total. Each tile is 1.2 SF.
-
Inexpensive carpet inserts
-
Skim-coated walls (plaster with marble powder)
-
A few light fixtures and pieces of furniture
-
Paint
Make no mistake we didn't get a renovation. We got a light redecoration.
-
No permits pulled (no structural or electrical work)
-
No ADA upgrades
-
No HVAC, plumbing, or ceiling work
-
No new doors, windows, or entry system
-
No intercom, keyless entry , or security upgrades
Even with generous assumptions, this should’ve cost $45,000–$60,000, max. Not $230,000.
What we are demanding is :
-
A detailed cost breakdown
-
All bids and competing estimates
-
Signed contracts and scope of work
-
Invoices, payments, and change orders
-
Vendor selection process
If these records don’t exist or won’t be shared, that’s a red flag.
This Isn’t Just About the Lobby
This is a pattern, first the service elevator heist, now this. — closed-door meetings, no bids, inflated costs, and zero accountability.
And now, more grossly inflated special assessment are already in the works.
At the last board meeting, a design committee member patted himself on the back for "coming in on budget" which isn't hard to do when the work costs $60K and you spend $230K. Wayne Kubasak praised the project, then pushed for another one immediately—no analysis, no owner input, no pause.
Did you know that reserves are for decorating projects and other non-emergency work. Special Assessments are for emergency work or to comply with a building code, for example. SDp
Why is the board so eager to spend more money by imposing more special assessments? Perhaps they have set it up so they are secretly getting their payments kicked back. They never once raise a concern about cost or question the burden. They would intuitively be seeking the lowest possible price? But they don't.
Vendor invoices are rubber stamped for items as a lump sum, zero detail. Take a look at this invoice for plumbing repairs.
It’s time to shine a light. The independent forensic audit will look at every last detail and review all spending since 2020. Let’s find out where the money went. If nothing is wrong, there’s nothing to hide.
Sign the petition now. Help us end the secrecy, stop the gaslighting, and restore fiscal sanity to our building.
Add comment
Comments
Yes!