Guitar Building in Downtown Columbia reopens Friday following Thursday evacuation
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Businesses at the Guitar Building in Downtown Columbia have been allowed to reopen after bricks fell onto the roof on Wednesday.
The City of Columbia allowed businesses to return to work Friday as repairs to the building continue. The building was evacuated on Thursday after failing inspections.
"It's been frustrating because there is scaffolding up," Room 38 owner Billy Giordano said. "It's (closing on Thursday) not something we would choose, obviously."
Room 38 is a restaurant and bar located at the street level of the building.
Giordano said the business was allowed to reopen today and is "mostly in service." He said the business has had to keep a portion of its outdoor patio closed as the construction continues.
City of Columbia spokesperson Sydney Olsen said all businesses aside from the tenants at 810 East Walnut St. were allowed to return Friday morning.
"We really want to prioritize people's safety during this process," Olsen said.
Walnut Street between Eighth and Ninth streets was also closed as a precautionary measure on Wednesday. The westbound lane and northside parking have been reopened, while the eastbound lane and southside parking will remain closed, as the necessary repairs are completed.
"Crews are planning to remove part of that failed parapet wall and brace the rest of it until crews can make permanent repairs," Olsen said.
Repairs are expected to be completed by Tuesday morning.
"That's a little bit of a moving target depending on how long it takes for those repairs to be made," Olsen said.
Repairs are being completed by contractors hired by the building owner.
"They're working with some outside partners to make those repairs and will probably do the same for those permanent repairs down the road as well," Olsen said.
The contractors are working closely with the City of Columbia's Building Regulations Supervisor and engineers.
Olsen said they will be keeping the public updated on social media, and advise anybody with further questions to call 875-CITY.
