Unfinished Majesty Building, like all high-rises, can’t bear wind over 160 mph

Medieval Times in Kissimmee had fun with a tweet this week addressed to Hurricane Irma, offering up the Majesty Building in Altamonte Springs as a “sacrifice.”

The 18-story building, also known as the I-4 Eyesore, is one of the longest-running local construction sites — the owners broke ground on the project 16 years ago.

All kidding aside, construction sites and high-rise buildings are particularly vulnerable to major hurricanes. And the Orlando area has more high-rises than ever before, including two downtown apartment towers under construction that are to be more than 20 stories. No tall buildings are built to withstand winds of 160 mph or greater, which Irma has been exceeding regularly.

“We’ve already sent all our building inspectors out to the construction site, to meet with the site superintendent, regarding their plan for the storm,” said Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz. “They need to secure materials, tie things down; it’s in their best interest.”

Orlando advises, on its city website, that people who live in highrise buildings evacuate during a hurricane strike. Major commercial leasing companies also evacuate high-rise offices during a storm.

The National Association of Home Builders reminded its members of guidelines for construction sites during hurricanes, which include removing dumping bins and scaffolding, securing or removing all materials, shutting off all power and covering windows with plywood.

Martz said he hopes the exterior of the Majesty Building is finished as the owners intend, by this fall.

“They are building the parking structures still, which are not enclosed. But the upper reaches of the building are enclosed, and they’ve met their permit requirements,” Martz said.

He said people often ask him why the city doesn’t condemn the building. Its owner is WACX-TV SuperChannel President Claude Bowers, and it is privately funded.

“They are only building as they can, without debt,” Martz said. “This is the United States, and we can’t condemn people’s property just because they are moving slower than we’d like.”