Residents allowed back in Alexander Lofts

Residents kicked out of their apartments after a portion of a wall came crashing down are now being allowed back in. Almost a week after the brick face of the Alexander Lofts apartments in downtown West Palm Beach separated from the building, the building owner has completed work on protective scaffolding along the sidewalk in front of the Fern Street building.

City building officials Wednesday inspected the scaffolding to ensure it met requirements before declaring the building could reopen to the public.

Meanwhile, the building owners will continue to work on repairs to the east and north sides of the building where the brick face has begun to separate from the building structure.

While the street is open to pedestrian traffic, Fern Street between Olive Avenue and Dixie Highway remains closed to vehicles. That closure could last through the weekend.