WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. -- Residents of the Garrison Village Condos have reason to celebrate.
The siding on the west facing walls of their complex, heavily damaged by a massive hailstorm on May 8, 2017, is finally being replaced.
"It has been a journey," said resident Dan Larson, a member of the Garrison Village Homeowners Association. "We really do appreciate the patience of our residents who put up with, not only two years of inaction, but also for the past month, all the work activity."
Repair work was delayed for two years because of a disagreement between the HOA and the insurance company over how much siding needed to be replaced.
The HOA and Hammersmith Management wanted all the siding replaced so it would all match. Maxum Indemnity Company only wanted to replace what was damaged.
So for two years, shattered windows were covered with plywood, and the shredded siding was covered with blue tarp, which began disintegrating in the elements.
"The wind would blow and the tarps would just shred to pieces and it would be all over our lawns and everything," said Nathan Behunin. "It was quite a ghetto looking town."
Lawsuit
A lawsuit was filed. The case was set for trial in March of 2020, which meant residents would have had to deal with the eyesore for a third year.
Finally, the HOA and insurance company reached agreement.
"We had lengthy discussions and they finally came around to seeing the concern that we had that the buildings look the same all the way around," Larson said.
Actual repair work began in early May.
Constant Noise
Residents are now coping with the constant sound of hammers and saws, a few damaged plants, and packages of siding on their driveways.
Erica Bohl said it's worth it.
"They actually look like houses again," she said. "It's nice to walk around and see the new stuff."
Bohl, taking note of a "for sale" sign across the driveway, said the repair work is helping condo sales.
"People are putting them back on the market," she said.
"It's been a bit of a mess, but as you can see," Larson said, "the difference is night and day. Our buildings have been repaired... I think they look better than they did before, and now we can go back to being a regular development."
Larson told Denver7 that the shattered windows are not part of the agreement.
He said the shattered glass is the responsibility of the individual homeowners, who should contact their own insurance companies.
Some homeowners have already done that, and their work is being done by the contractors.
Larson said in a few more weeks, Garrison Village will be like new.
