A building located on the 300 block of Second Ave. partially collapsed early Tuesday morning, spurring the property owner and the City of Gallipolis to investigate available options. A structural engineering firm confirmed that the building is in danger of falling and concurred that action must be taken quickly to secure the adjacent building.
The City of Gallipolis has closed off traffic in the alleyway behind the crumbling building. Barricades are also being placed in front of the structure to protect motorists and pedestrians.
GALLIPOLIS — The back side of a building in the 300 block of Second Ave. in Gallipolis partially collapsed at approximately 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Now the property owner and the City of Gallipolis are faced with some difficult decisions as to the structure’s fate.
Gallipolis City Manager Randy Finney has been in contact with the owner of the property, who initially showed an interest in trying to repair the damage rather than demolish the structure. However, he said that a structural engineer from Columbus was on site Wednesday to inspect the building, and that option doesn’t look promising.
“He’s in agreement that the building does need to come down. The back section of the building is in danger of falling,” Finney said. “He made a recommendation to put tie backs inside the other building to try to secure it if possible to try to salvage the other building. We are going to work with the property owner to see if they are wanting to do that. If not, then we’ll have to take other action at that point.”
The two buildings Finney referenced, located at 354 and 356 Second Ave. across from the Gallipolis City Park, share an internal wall, which creates a concern about the safety and structural integrity of the 356 address in the event of additional damage to the 354 address. Both building are owned by the same person(s).
Barricades have been placed around the building to protect alley traffic behind the structure and street and foot traffic in front of it.
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