Residents of The Vault apartment complex, located at 1699 Statesboro Place Circle, are being forced to vacate their homes by Friday due to significant structural deterioration, leaving many scrambling for alternative housing.
The urgent situation arose after a private structural inspection conducted by Thomas & Reel Engineering Consultants on behalf of a third party.
According to Layne Phillips, City of Statesboro Public Affairs Manager, the engineering firm concluded that all buildings at The Vault were dangerous and exhibited considerable structural issues.
In a letter dated April 3, 2025, Thomas & Reel informed the City of Statesboro of their findings. The letter detailed visible signs of deferred maintenance and significant deterioration of wood trim due to moisture intrusion across buildings 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, and the office. The inspection also revealed erosion at the foundations, exposing the footings.
Of particular concern were the elevated walkways, seemingly constructed with concrete over deteriorating wood framing. The report stated that all apartment buildings showed similar structural damage to porches and stairway systems, deeming them unsafe and requiring immediate evacuation. The bases of the wood columns supporting the front and rear porches of the office/clubhouse were also found to be deteriorated and unsafe. The engineering firm recommended further investigation involving opening up suspect structural elements.
In response to this report, Robbie Jordan, the City's Chief Building Official, issued a formal notice to The Vault management on April 4th. The hand-delivered letter, signed by Madison Harwood of The Vault, gave the management 10 business days to provide a plan to ensure the property is deemed safe by a structural engineer and that emergency ingress and egress meet City Code.
Jordan's letter referenced the attached findings from Thomas & Reel, highlighting the dangerous conditions posing a threat to the life, health, property, and safety of the occupants. The letter indicated that unless the buildings are deemed safe and brought up to code, the city intends to proceed with emergency measures under the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), specifically requiring immediate evacuation. Relevant provisions of the IPMC, adopted by the City of Statesboro, were included.
Phillips clarified that the City is not condemning the buildings but rather requiring them to meet habitable standards outlined in the city's property maintenance code. The Vault management has until the response deadline to submit a plan of action for compliance. Alternatively, if a structural engineer determines repairs are necessary, proper plans and permits will be required.
However, The Vault's property management has already distributed the City's letter to tenants and is verbally informing them that their leases will be terminated, and April rent will be refunded. Residents are being told they must vacate their apartments by Friday, April 11, 2025.
With an average rent of around $430 per room, tenants are now facing uncertainty regarding relocation and support despite the promised rent refund.
Grice Connect has not been able to get a clear number of how many residents are currently living in the complex. At full capacity there are 528 beds in the complex.
Past Structural Issues at The Vault
This is not the first instance of structural concerns at The Vault. On September 18, 2024, the City of Statesboro issued a similar letter of concern regarding building 1100. Chief Building Official Robbie Jordan gave the complex 30 days to rectify structural issues in that building. Just six days later, on September 24, 2024, residents of building 1100 were informed that their building had been condemned and were given 30 days to vacate. Building 1100 remains boarded up and vacant.
Constructed in 1999, The Vault at Statesboro comprises 14 buildings with 132 units, primarily four-bedroom/four-bath layouts, totaling 190,608 square feet. According to Bulloch County Tax Assessor records, the complex is owned by Statesboro United LLC, with addresses in Lawrenceville, GA, and Hollywood, FL.
High crime in complex
Statesboro City Council, at the Tuesday, May 7, 2024 bi-monthly meeting, put The Vault apartment complex on notice. This area of Statesboro, which is near Paulson Stadium, has become highlighted for recent violent crimes, including an officer involved shooting.
Charles Penny, City Manager, reported at the council meeting that at the direction of the Mayor and City Council, he had asked Cain Smith, City Attorney, to send a letter to the owners of The Vault apartment complex putting them on notice. The letter encouraged them to take advantage of the city's grants to help apartment complexes to improve security. They are also encouraging them to improve overall security at the complex.
Grice Connect has reached out to The Vault management for comment on the plan to vacate all residents but has received no response. This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
