The company assures that since the beginning of the project it has complied with all the regulations and rules established by the local and national authorities.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Both the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed), and the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie), approved the solution given to the sinkhole produced under house 101, adjacent to the Prado Residences III project, which is being built by JPerez Constructora, in the Ensanche Paraíso, National District.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MIVHED) recently ordered the work to be halted, citing violations in the construction process, just 11 days after issuing a document acknowledging that the construction firm complied with all the recommendations given by both entities for stabilization and solving the problems of the erosion.
“Based on said report, on October 25, 2024, the Directorate of Inspection of Private Works carried out an inspection of the project and it was found that structural were poured, corresponding to part of the work necessary for the stabilization and solution of the scour problems, which were inspected and authorized by said directorate, so they have the inspection records, in turn it was verified that the project remains in the same conditions observed during the inspection carried out on the twenty-fifth (25) of July 2024, without evidence of progress or modifications since that date,” says the document under the title “lifting of the friendly conciliation of the Mivhed” and of which El Inmobiliario has a copy.
The text signed by Attorney Nilka Abreu as the designated conciliator of the process, dated October 28, 2024, establishes that “the conciliation process of Attorneys Filias Bencosme, Claudia María Castaños Zouain and Julio Alfredo Castaños Zouain, representatives of the Prado Residences III Project, located at Francisco Carias Lavander Street No. 17, Paraíso, Santo Domingo, National District, is lifted.”
“In view of the fact that on October 14, 2024, the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Infrastructure Vulnerability (ONESVIE), in relation to the report sent by the company Geotecnia y Sondeos on October 7 and after having studied the file presented by the Commercial Company Construccora JPREZ SRL, the evidence provided by the company Geotecnia y Sondeo was verified,” states the document from Mivhed, marked with the process number 529-2024.
It adds that the report details the construction process carried out to fill the sinkhole beneath the foundations of the affected structure adjacent to the project. “The solution, approved by this Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Housing (MIVHED), consisted of shoring up the structure and replacing the undermined soil with concrete and expanded Geofoam. Therefore, it was verified that all the recommendations for slope stabilization, indicated in the EPN report of September 2023, issued to the construction company of the project in question, were implemented.”.
Onesvie
In a letter dated October 14 of this year, signed by its general director, Leonardo De Jesús Reyes Madera, Onesvie states that “the evidence provided by the company Geotecnia & Sondeos SRL was verified, in whose report the construction process carried out to fill the sinkhole under the foundations of the affected structure, adjacent to the project under construction, was presented.”.
“The solution, approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MIVHED), consisted of shoring up the structure and replacing the undermined soil with exposed concrete and Geofoam. Therefore, it is concluded that all the recommendations for slope stabilization, indicated in the EPN report of September 2023, issued to the construction company of the Prado Residences III project, located on Francisco Carías Lovander Street, Paraíso, Santo Domingo, National District, were implemented,” the document states.
Statement from the construction company
JPerez Constructora expressed its surprise at the measure this weekend, noting that it is unaware of the official report explaining the reasons behind the decision.
“Regarding the temporary suspension order for the Prado Residences III project issued by the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed), JPREZ Construction Company reports that this measure has surprised us, as we have not yet received an official report detailing the specific reasons for this decision,” explains a statement.
The company clarifies that since the beginning of the project it has complied with all regulations and rules established by local and national authorities, and affirmed its commitment to ensuring that each stage is executed according to the highest safety and quality standards, aligned with all necessary certifications and approvals.
“It is important to highlight that Prado Residences III has all the permits regulated and stipulated by the relevant authorities (Mayor's Office, Environment, Mivhed, Intrant and Onesvie's validation of the sinkhole solution),” the document states.
The company states that it has a team of highly trained professionals who oversee every aspect of construction. The company has over 20 years of experience in the national market and a portfolio of numerous completed projects.
JPerez said he appreciates the interest in safety and compliance with regulations and assures "that we are in continuous contact with the authorities to understand and address this situation, working with the commitment to expedite any action necessary for the prompt reactivation of the project.".
He emphasized that transparency is and will continue to be one of his fundamental values, and that, by maintaining an open dialogue with the authorities and the community, he has proactively addressed any concerns that have arisen.
“We are committed to addressing any additional requirements as discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MIVHED) and other involved entities progress, and we will keep our clients, employees, and the community informed about the progress in this process,” he said.
The construction firm reiterated its commitment to responsible construction, strict compliance with all regulations, and quality and excellence in each of its projects.
Regarding the case
The Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed) ordered the suspension of the Prado Residences III project, located at Francisco Carias Lavander Street No. 17, Ensanche Paraíso, in the National District, alleging violations in the construction processes.
The state entity argues that the excavations for the project caused structural damage to a property adjacent to the site where the 14-story real estate project is being built.
