Webber Building Still Unsafe After Collapse

“We’ve got equipment coming in that will stabilize the roof, be able to get some girders in that are on site, and once that gets accomplished the developer will figure out what has to be done for restoration,” said Mayor Todd Strange.

 

With the collapse, which luckily didn’t hurt anyone, still a mystery, some in Montgomery are worried that more of the historic buildings could meet the same fate. 

 

“All of these buildings down here are pretty old so you just might want to, before you go in there and start building, check the structure of the building because a lot of them don’t have the metal like the newer models,” said Charles Lee.

 

“There are a lot of old buildings around here. They’ve been around a long time since I was a little boy. They’re doing a lot of renovation. You’d think that they would check it before they try and put anything else in the buildings,” said Isaiah Taylor.

 

Mayor Strange says that all buildings are inspected when they are for sale and during construction, but there aren’t regular checks. If a building sits vacant, it can go without inspection for years.

 

“Given our situation and dexter avenue, we’ll probably issue some cautionary advisories to those that have purchased the buildings because we want everyone to understand that old buildings, particularly 150 years old. They’re not like the new structures that are built today.”

 

Mayor Strange says it should take the city about five days to stabilize the building, then the city can open those streets. So expect things to be blocked off until at least next Tuesday.