‘Structural concerns’ of vacant Sedalia building lead to sidewalk, lane closure

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The sidewalk and eastbound traffic in the 200 block of West Main Street in Sedalia have been closed off by the city because of “structural concerns” at a vacant building, the city wrote in a Wednesday social media post.

The city wrote that access to the building at 207 West Main Street has been closed off as a precautionary measure. The city later stated in an updated post that the building is in a "state of collapse" and will either need immediate repairs or be demolished.

“The building has been deteriorating over the past several months, but suffered new damage from the recent storms,” the city wrote in its initial post

An engineer evaluated the building on Wednesday and noted nearby buildings are at risk if a collapse occurs, the updated post reads.

"In coordination with safety precautions, Liberty Utilities made the decision last night to cap the gas lines at the street level rather than excavating Main Street. While gas service to the building had been shut off for at least five years, capping the lines at the street is a critical safety step," the post says. "If a structure collapses, it can damage underground utility lines, potentially causing leaks or ruptures. By sealing the gas line at its main distribution point, Liberty Utilities has eliminated the possibility of residual or pressurized gas entering the area. This action also removes a significant fire or explosion risk to surrounding buildings, first responders, and the public."