One Park Vista officials request temporary evacuation

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One Park Vista officials request temporary evacuation

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Bizjournals.com - Charlotte,NC*

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/09/29/daily15.html

Officials from One Park Vista, the luxury condominium project in

downtown Winston-Salem, are recommending that residents move out

temporarily while they determine if a fungus found poses a health

threat.

According to a press release, One Park Vista officials learned on

Friday from the general contractor that consultants found one

instance of what could be an exceptionally rare fungus,

Ramichloridium obovoideum, that could pose a threat. As a result,

officials started advising condo owners Friday that they should move

out temporarily while it is investigated.

This week, according to a release, an microbiology expert told

officials she is " virtually certain " it is not the suspected fungus,

for which there are no documented cases of anyone being exposed to

in the U.S. and which is reported to grow only in the Middle East.

Of more than 135 samples taken throughout the building in early

September, one culture of the fungus in question was found, the

release states.

Officials are still urging residents to leave the building until the

substance is identified, and samples have been sent to two labs for

independent testing. Further testing continued through Tuesday as a

precaution. At present, officials report that the suspected fungus

is not in One Park Vista, and plan to confirm it after testing.

Developer Kerry Avant said of the three residents who had moved in,

two had moved out temporarily. He said officials have notified the

11 or 12 buyers under contract, though the issue hasn't caused any

problems there. The condo has a total of 32 units.

One Park Vista opened in late August and is located at 1 Park Vista

Lane between Third and Fourth Streets in downtown.