Miami-Dade court evacuated after building inspection found ‘safety concerns’

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A historic courthouse was evacuated after engineers identified “safety concerns” after reviewing the building’s structural integrity that resulted from the fatal collapse of an apartment building in the Miami Beach area, Miami-Dade County officials said Friday night.

An engineer’s report recommended that floors 16 and above be closed to staff at Miami-Dade County Courthouse “while repairs are completed quickly,” according to a joint statement from Mayor Daniela Levine Cava, Chief Justice Noshin Saifi, and Courts Clerk Harvey Reuven.

The courtroom, completed in 1928, is where most civil cases are heard. The 28-storey building houses some administration offices.

Court staff recently returned to the building after working remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After the evacuation, officials said, court operations will return to remote coordination until repairs are completed to address safety concerns. Specific details about the needed repairs were not disclosed, but officials added that the court’s vault will also undergo an examination to determine if additional repairs are needed there.

According to the statement, people with upcoming court proceedings scheduled to take place in person will receive a new notice with instructions.

Leaks, mold and court front problems have been reported in the building over the years. But Miami-Dade County is currently in the early stages of building a new civil courthouse, with plans to sell the historic building.

The court underwent a review after the partial collapse of the South Champlain Towers in Surfside two weeks ago. A building collapse alongside the waves killed at least 86 people. 43 others are still missing.

The structural integrity of several other buildings was reviewed as part of a citywide audit of tall buildings above five stories, which led to evictions in other buildings such as the North Miami condominium complex after it was deemed unsafe last week.

Nicole Acevedo is a reporter for NBC News Digital. She reports, writes, and produces stories for NBC Latino and NBCNews.com.

The Associated Press contributed.

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