I will disagree because this is property is not owned by the individual
Yes the individual does own it, along with all the other individual condo owners who were assessed the same amount for the same reason/purpose. From what the OP says, the HOA has clearly and undeniably identified this as a special assessment, as well as what the assessment is specifically for.
IRS Publication 527 at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p527.pdf page 8 specifically states:
Assessments for local improvements.
Assessments for items which tend to increase the value of property, such as streets and side-walks, must be added to the basis of the property. For example, if your city installs curbing on the street in front of your house, and assesses you and your neighbors for its cost, you must add the assessment to the basis of your property.
