JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly one year since the Rise Doro apartments in downtown Jacksonville caught fire, a new investigative report was released on Monday and said there’s no conclusive evidence to show a specific cause.
While the cause is undetermined, the project manager believed the fire was caused by an electrical problem, according to the report.
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The property manager told fire investigators the building had electrical issues in the control panel, and they were waiting on parts to repair it.
The report also raised other concerns about the structure. When Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department crews attempted to activate the fire sprinkler system, the valve was turned off.
Fire crews also could not access the building from the northside because of an “incomplete stairwell.”
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An air conditioning subcontractor who went in the building a year before the fire described some of the work as “shoddy.” According to the report, he told investigators he, “suspected the work was being completed without the proper permitting and inspections.”
He further said, “Someone is in the pockets of somebody at the building department.”
In a statement, the City of Jacksonville said, “Regarding the one witness’ baseless allegations, a mechanical permit was issued for the HVAC work and inspections conducted by a contractor hired by the developer. The inspector then provides an affidavit to the city that confirms the inspection passed.”
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In September, the Jacksonville City Council approved a more than $15 million incentive package for reconstruction of the building. According to the agreement with the Downtown Investment Authority, construction is required to begin by the end of March.
The city told Action News Jax the company has permits and just closed on financing. The next step is for construction to begin.
“The City of Jacksonville is looking forward to RISE Doro being rebuilt. It is one of many projects that are underway to bring more people to live, work, and play in a vibrant and thriving downtown,” a representative said.
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