Wall Stabilization Work Continues
Court to investigate cause of collapse

The work that was started last week on the stabilization of the portion of the retaining wall that did not fall down is proceeding on schedule, sort of. That is, the work continues but is about two days behind schedule as a result of the Lindo Mar Board of Directors having to review changes in the stabilization proposal. Among the changes was a suggestion from the board that buttresses be employed in the new structure for added strength. The engineers say that will be done and they will provide drawings showing how. They added that being behind at this point will not affect the goal of having guests in-house by January 13, 2007.

Through Tuesday the 19th, 18 of 29 anchors have been put in place. Ten of those have been filled with expanding concrete and the plan is for the other eleven anchors to be in place and filled with concrete by the end of next week. Once that has happened, the removal of the dirt and debris can start.

Onsite staff is in contact with the gas company to determine the new location for the propane tanks since the plans for the new retaining wall do not include a shelf of the type that was destroyed in the collapse. We are told by the gas company that it is a relatively simple matter to place the tanks and reconnect the service.

As we mentioned last week, legal steps have been initiated with the Mexican courts which will result in them sending their own experts to the site to inspect the damage. That process is being monitored by our local attorney to ensure that it doesn't slow down during the holidays.

Although it may sound like a routine thing, one of the biggest bits of news is that the elevator is now back in service. It had been shut down for two reasons, the most important of which was to not risk anything happening because of unknowns relating to the collapse and putting guests on their way to the restaurant in jeopardy. The other reason was that, with the resort closed, Otis Elevator Co. could service it and repaint the doors that had started to rust due to the salt air. That work has been completed and the engineers have given the OK to start using the elevator. Consequently, we have returned the rental van that was used to transport guests between the lobby and the restaurant.

That's about it for this week, except for a reminder to let us know if you have not given us your email address or you have changed it and not told us.

Feliz Navidad a todos, y Feliz Ano Nuevo. Hasta pronto en Lindo Mar.

Here are some photos showing the activity involved in stabilizing the wall: