No plan for crumbling building amid legal battle with neighbor

The owner of 200 E. High Street, which first partially collapsed in June, still has no plan for its demolition.

The building’s neighbor, 202 E. High Street, is connected to the collapsing building through a shared wall. The structure was deemed “dangerous” by the city in October the inhabiting business and renters were ordered to vacate. Also, at the city’s order, 200 E. High has been vacant since June.

Last month the city hired an engineer from Allstate Consultants to evaluate the shared wall between the two structures. According to Jefferson City Building Official Larry Burkhardt, the engineer found the common wall is “failing.”

Andy Neidert, the owner of 200 E. High St., decided to demolish the building the month after the partial collapse. Burkhardt said any demolition plan could seriously implicate 202 because it is dependent on 200.

In October, Neidert filed a lawsuit against Carol and Ruben Wieberg, who own 202 E. High, seeking to be clear of any liability for damages to 202, citing an agreement from 1892.

The Wiebergs filed a counter petition this week saying Neidert is responsible for any damage to the shared wall and their building. They claim Neidert “failed to perform timely repairs, updates, inspections and maintenance on… 200 East High Street.”

A hearing for the suit is scheduled for Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. in Judge Daniel Green’s courtroom in Cole County Circuit Court.

As the legal battle over liability continues, Burkhardt says both buildings face greater risk as time goes on.

When it comes to the possibility of another collapse, Burkhardt said it’s a matter of “not if, but when.”

“Masonry just kind of collapses,” Burkhardt told ABC 17 News. “Another reason why we don’t build this type of building anymore.”

The city is prepared to move forward with demolition itself if no plan is in place in the coming months.

Burkhardt said if Neidert does not have a plan for demolition by Dec. 31 then the city will hold an administrative hearing to begin taking over the project.