GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Work at a handful of construction sites in Minneapolis and the west metro have slowed after tests show the wood is not fire compliant.
So far, city inspectors say the wood framing at buildings in Minneapolis on Lake Street and on Olson Memorial Highway in Golden Valley were not properly treated with fire retardant chemicals.
There are concerns a construction project in St. Louis Park near Interstate 394 on Utica Avenue South may also have issues with its wood framing, but city officials say the tests are not back yet.
"We really think this is unprecedented. We haven't seen anything like this,” said Dan McConnell, the business manager at the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council. “This is a fundamental component of the building, the structure of the building with material that is substandard that doesn't meet the fire rating."
It's unclear how the construction crews will fix the problems, but until they do, the cities say they can't continue work on the impacted areas.
“Until we resolve this issue the project won't move forward,” said Patrick Higgins, with the City of Minneapolis.
Higgins told KARE 11 an investigator examined the wood weeks ago at the Lake Calhoun location.
"He notified us of the stamps that were being displayed on the wood were either fraudulent or counterfeit or suspect in some way,” he said.
The contractor for the projects in Minneapolis and Golden Valley, Big-D Construction did not return a phone call for comment. DLC Construction, which is the contractor for St. Louis Park project also did not return a phone call for comment.
Golden Villas, LLC is the owner of the Hello Apartments which is the location in Golden Valley. In a statement, the company said when it first learned of the issue last month it acted immediately.
“Last month, Golden Villas, LLC first became aware the lumber specified for use on the project was not what was delivered to the site. As soon as Golden Villas, LLC learned of the issue, we insisted that Big D Construction immediately remedy the use of the non-compliant lumber and ensure that the project is built with the specified lumber,” the statement read.
The Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council said the Chicago FlameProof Co. produced the wood used in the projects. No one returned a phone call for comment.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Professional Firefighters called the revelations alarming.
"We have minimum fire codes for a reason when those fire codes aren't being met, it puts the general public at risk and it puts fire fighters at risk as well,” said the group’s president, Chris Parsons.
There are similar concerns at a fourth construction site on Plymouth Avenue in Minnetonka. But a city spokesperson told KARE 11 the building recently passed city inspections. They say Big-D Construction is the contractor on that project.
The full statement from Golden Villas, LLC is below.
"Golden Villas, LLC, the owner of the Hello Apartments, is deeply committed to ensuring the Hello Apartments are not only code compliant but meets all industry safety standards. This is not just a building to us because we realize many people and families will call Hello Apartments home. They deserve to know their home meets the highest safety standards and that is why safety is the top priority in every project we are involved with. We have taken immediate steps to correct any wrongs and will continue to insist that the Hello Apartments is constructed to provide a safe and comfortable home for our future residents.
Last month, Golden Villas, LLC first became aware the lumber specified for use on the project was not what was delivered to the site. As soon as Golden Villas, LLC learned of the issue, we insisted that Big D Construction immediately remedy the use of the non-compliant lumber and ensure that the project is built with the specified lumber. Golden Villas, LLC will continue to review all information from the professionals that are involved in the Hello Apartments (including the architects at ESG Architects and the fire safety expert retained by the contractor) and the city building officials to ensure that all lumber used on Hello Apartments is 100% code compliant. Any lumber confirmed to be non-compliant will be removed and replaced. Golden Villas, LLC is committed to taking all steps necessary to make sure all building materials are safe and Hello Apartments meet the highest industry standards for fire safety."