City Takes Necessary Action in Response to Rivermist Wall Failure

As a result of Centex Homes' failure to acquire a permit for a collapsed retaining wall in the Rivermist subdivision, the City of San Antonio has taken several necessary steps to provide immediate monitoring of construction activity and increased security at the subdivision, including the forming of a City team charged with researching compliance and permitting regulations of retaining walls in Rivermist and setting up a residence assistance line. The City's actions are outlined as follows:

1. The City of San Antonio (COSA) Development Services will immediately suspend the certificate of occupancy for the 25 nearest homes to the incident.
   
2. The City of San Antonio will place San Antonio Police Officers at the Rivermist Subdivisions on a 24- hour basis to provide enhanced security to damaged and vacant homes.
   
3. COSA Development Services will place a building inspector at the Rivermist Subdivisions to monitor construction activity being done by Centex.
      - If additional hazards develop, emergency or necessary action will be taken by the City such as the revocation of additional certificates of occupancy.
   
4. COSA Development Services will hire an independent structural engineer to evaluate and recommend which homes are safe to occupy.
   
5. COSA Development Services will assign a five member team of City inspectors to identify and research other retaining walls within the Rivermist Subdivisions for compliance with city permitting regulations.
      -  The team will also perform the same permit history research on other Pulte/Centex subdivisions within the City.
   
6. COSA Development Services will open a Call Center to answer questions regarding the permitting process, retaining wall permits, and to answer resident calls related to retaining walls in their particular subdivision.
      -  The Call Center will be open from 7:45 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, until further notice. The Call Center number is 210-207-1111, request option 0.
   
7. Public Safety emergencies should be referred to 911.

The City will continue to monitor the Rivermist subdivision closely and take any further necessary steps needed to hold the builder and developer accountable.