Port building leaks creating stir in Palm Beach

Port building leaks creating stir in Palm Beach Leaks at the cruise terminal and administrative building at the Port of Palm Beach is stirring up local debate over whether the port should seek federal hurricane relief funds to make the repairs or try to get the builder of the four-year-old building to cover the costs.
   A report in the Palm Beach Post said that although the leaks are being attributed to hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in September 2004 and Wilma in October 2005, one cruise company tenant and some port employees say the building had leaks before the hurricanes.
   Port director Lori Baer, who took over in director in 2004 shortly before the first of the hurricanes, said she was not aware of prior problems. She has come down squarely on the side of citing hurricane damage, pointing out that after witnessing the wrath of the storms and the ensuing leaks, the problem should be attributed to storm damage.
   She also said the port would have problems with high legal costs and lost time to settle the issue if it attempted to make a case against the builder.