Cracked floors, bowed walls: Many warnings but no action at Iowa building before deadly collapse

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/iowa-davenport-building-collapse-621844c0d6c206ced4639ddcf443eb80/gallery/333f6351b99a4d3294cbe5a2e1b76617

Cracked floors, bowed walls: Many warnings but no action at Iowa building before deadly collapse
By SCOTT McFETRIDGE, HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and HANNAH FINGERHUT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — So many people knew something wasn’t right at the 116-year-old Davenport apartment building.

The structural engineer who documented the shaky wall. The head of a masonry company who wouldn’t let his workers onto the site. The city inspector who threatened to close some units. A downtown official who called 911 and asked firefighters to take a look. And tenants who told of cracks in their floors and walls.

But no one ordered residents out, and it was only when a section of the six-story brick, steel and concrete building tumbled to the ground on the afternoon of May 28 that everyone seemed to connect the dots. Three men were dead, about 50 tenants were left homeless without their possessions and the city was faced with one of its taller buildings at risk of crumbling in the heart of its downtown.

Asked days after the collapse why residents hadn’t been warned, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said, “I don’t know that anyone can anticipate a building collapsing.”

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Seen is the damage from a collapsed apartment building, Monday, June 5, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. The six-story, 80-unit building partially collapsed May 28. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)


Cracks run along the floor and wall in an apartment rented by Shauna Dixon before a section of the 116-year-old Davenport apartment building later collapsed in May. The collapse left three dead, and about 50 homeless without their possessions. (Shauna Dixon via AP)


Cracks run along the wall and the window sill in an apartment rented by Shauna Dixon. (Shauna Dixon via AP)

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Now all of the folks in Iowa can see their insurance rates go through the roof and buildings that

had their inspections held off or postponed or the like, will be reinspected. Too little too late.

[RockRaven]

2. From what I've heard, this is a local corruption/coverup story. Connections between ownership

and local politicians. Obvious mishandling of damage which clearly necessitated immediate evacuation/possible condemnation. And the owner tried to initiate demolition of the remainder before the rescue phase was even done (within 24 hours) presumably to destroy/muddy the evidence of what exactly caused the collapse.

[dalton99a]

3. +1. The owner Andrew Wold even ignored his court summons

https://www.kcrg.com/2023/06/09/judge-issue-warrant-if-owner-collapsed-davenport-apartment-doesnt-appear-court/

Judge to issue warrant if owner of collapsed Davenport apartment doesn’t appear in court
By Matt Christensen
Published: Jun. 9, 2023 at 11:14 AM UTC

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - A judge this morning rejected an agreement between the city of Davenport and Andrew Wold, the owner of the downtown building that collapsed Memorial Day weekend.

Wold was scheduled to appear in Scott County District Court on an enforcement action filed by the city that aimed to keep Wold from transferring the building to other ownership and avoid demolition costs and other fees.

In a bizarre scene in court, Wold’s attorney, Jack O’Brien, called the judge instead of appearing in person. He said the city and Wold had come to an arrangement before the court hearing in which Wold would plead no contest.

But that plea isn’t accepted under Iowa law in such cases.

Judge Catherine Z. Cartee told the attorney:

“He has to plead guilty or not guilty. Those are his two choices. … If the defendant fails to appear, I’ll issue a warrant.”

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[NowISeetheLight]

4. Rent Checks

I'm sure the landlord had no delays in cashing the monthly rent checks.