On Anniversary of Surfside Tragedy, New Book Coaches Residents to Identify Warning Signs
Washingtoner/10175872

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Washingtoner -- Millions of dollars awarded in settlements, multiple state and federal investigations, and new state legislation all lie in the wake of the disaster that struck Surfside, Florida a year ago. With investigations and legal proceedings still ongoing, the question "could it all have been avoided?" will perhaps go unanswered for some time. In his new book, Negligence! Averting Disaster at Your Building, Greg Batista asks, can we prevent it from happening again?

From his 30-plus years in engineering and construction, Batista has a unique vantage point on the inner workings of the construction, concrete repair, and structural engineering industry in South Florida. In fact, he was hired by and visited Champlain Towers in 2017. He provides key insights on the confluence of issues that attributed to the deadliest building failure in modern history.

More on Washingtoner

• From DJ Booths to Disney: Orlando Author Ryan Tiffin Launches "Chasing Magic"
• FDA Food Recall Notices After Outbreak Linked to 98 Hospitalizations: Practical Tips for Safer Grocery Shopping
• The 'Tax Squeeze': Betsson's Record Quarter Previews the Economics of Finland's 2027 Casino Market
• ImagineX Acquires Payteros to Strengthen Digital Transformation Capabilities
• From Pizza to Playlists: Marty The Pizza Guy Delivers Three Delicious New Songs

His prescient view of the issues at hand is highlighted by the passage of Florida's new condo safety law that, among other things, will require more frequent inspections, special attention given to properties near the coast, and stipulations for funds to be set aside by homeowner's associations for repairs.

Batista explains in his book why these are vital measures, and in a Fox News interview last week he opined that "a lot of times the law has to prod [HOA boards] along who aren't necessarily engineers, they aren't contractors." He empathizes with board members who, he writes, are volunteers giving up their free time to serve an important role. They don't necessarily have the training and knowledge to advocate for the importance of regular repairs and maintenance in avoiding disasters like the one in Surfside last year.

More on Washingtoner

• Spokane: Mayor Brown looks to expand access to cooling resources
• Spokane: Mayor Brown Launches Data Center Work Group Following Adoption of One-Year Moratorium
• Spokane City Council Passes Renters Right to Cooling Ordinance
• Salestrics Introduces PraiseEngine: The AI-Native Review Engine Built to Fix Social Proof
• K2 Integrity Names Michael Kallabat Global Head of Investigations and Disputes

That, in part, is what he hopes to solve with his new book, which is available today and advertised at $9.99 on his website, with all profits being donated to the American Red Cross. "I'm not looking to make money off this book," says Batista, whose aim is to educate. "For residents, owners, property managers—the people that are in the building every day—knowing what to look for and when to call an engineer for a closer look is the first line of defense. I hope the book is a resource for the growing concerns about structures that—without proper maintenance—may have deadly weaknesses."

For more information, visit askgbatista.com/books. Negligence! Averting Disaster at Your Building, is available from Amazon and other major booksellers in hardcover, paperback, and ebook.