Businesses next to crumbling building relocate to avoid risk

Multiple businesses that operate out of 202 E. High St. in Jefferson City are searching for other places to operate while the neighboring building continues to deteriorate, according to the owner of a catering company that uses the kitchen in 202 E. High St.

The building at 200 E. High S. partially collapsed in June, when bricks on the western-facing side of the first floor suddenly fell onto Madison Street. Since then, the hole has grown upwards, nearly reaching the roof of the structure.

Although the owner of 200 E. High St. decided to demolish the building in late July, no plan to do so is in place, Jefferson City building official Larry Burkhardt said Tuesday.

Burkhardt said workers discovered that 200 E. High St. was connected to 202 through shared walls, and that the same was true for 202 and 204 E. High. The connection between the buildings makes the planning process for demolition “extremely complicated,” according to Burkhardt. For more information, click here.

All three buildings are more than 100 years old, and were assembled in a way that would not comply with current building codes, according to Burkhardt.

The first structure built on that block was 204 E. High St., followed by 200. Burkhardt said 202 E. High St. was built last of the three, and uses the two walls of its neighbors for support.

Any demolition plan for 200 E. High St. could affect both buildings, primarily 202 E. High St., according to Burkhardt.

“I would just like to see some action,” said Matt Green, owner of an unopened wine bar at 204 E. High St.

Green said the construction site outside 200 has only caused minor delays to the construction of his business, Bar Vino. He said it’s not clear if the bar will open this month or in November, but he does not expect the crumbling wall to delay their plans.