Two downtown buildings compromised by collapsed wall off High Street

Engineers and building owners have an “extremely complicated” problem on their hands. The demolition of 200 East High St. could impact the neighboring two buildings because of shared walls, according to Jefferson City Building Official Larry Burkhardt

The west-facing wall of 200 East High St., which overlooks Madison Ave, partially collapsed in June. The owner of the building decided to demolish the building in July, but the discovery of shared walls between neighboring buildings could mean shared construction worries.

The east and west walls of the neighboring building, 202 East High St., are shared with the western wall of 204 and the eastern wall of 204 East High St., respectively. Burkhardt said both buildings could be impacted when 200 East High St. is demolished.

External support was put in place to hold up the building, but no one has been allowed inside due to the questionable structural integrity.

Although bits and pieces of the building may continue to fall over time, the reinforcements will hold up the structure as a whole, Burkhardt said. However, there still is a worry for pedestrians and cars below.

“I’m more concerned about public safety,” Burkhardt said when it was first discovered that 200 and 202 shared a wall. “I got a damaged building there with a temporary barrier.”

A start date for construction is not in place yet, Burkhardt said, as the owners of the three buildings are negotiating details of the project.