Several years ago, a former co-op board member reported that the retaining wall behind her building had failed, and that it needed repair. We were in the middle of a financial crisis, as we were digging out from a heavy debt load and would have higher priorities until we refinanced the complex. This board member has since left the co-op, selling off al of her shares, and no longer has any interest in the complex. However, the issue of the retaining wall remained.
Although we refinanced the co-op a year or two ago, gaining the funds to pay for this project, we hadn't been able to start it due to issues I am not at liberty to cover here. This delay caused the repair work being done on the retaining wall to become a higher priority for us, and we were able to break through the log jam to solicit bids, approve a contractor and get work started. A couple of weeks ago, we saw the delivery of materials needed to start work on this project. I'd bet that the people whose parking spots were affected by the delivery of this material had their complaints, but I think they were also glad to see that work would finally be getting done on this project.
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Getting this work done was one of my highest priorities, as I know what happens when infrastructure maintenance is deferred. Too long of a delay will cause things to fall apart, causing repairs (or replacements) to become even more expensive. Yes, I have been a voice for spending more money when many of the people in my complex (like myself) are living on fixed incomes.
Sooner or later, everyone has to take care of some form of deferred maintenance - to one's property, or to one's health. I guess it's now the season the season to do this....
