Partial building collapse displaces family and businesses

Dara Korn
·2 min read

(CAÑON CITY, Colo.) — According to Kristy Gotham, the Public Information Officer for Cañon City, the partial building collapse that occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, displaced one family and two businesses, but fortunately, there were no injuries.

The eastern wall of 612 Main Street gave way, revealing the interiors of ground-floor businesses and the upper-floor apartment. The family is staying with relatives, and all utilities have been shut off to the building.

The parking lot next to the collapsed wall was originally an opera house at 614 Main Street, according to Gotham, who received the information from the Royal Gorge Museum and History Center. The opera house was built in the late 1880s and was later converted into a bowling alley. Part of the roof collapsed in October 1959, due to a snowstorm that dumped 24 inches of heavy snow. In 1967, the building was torn down and the space was turned into a parking lot.

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A structural engineer is assessing the building, and The Building Department is working with the owner to identify the cause, which has yet to be determined. An asbestos company is also on-site to assess whether the presence of asbestos is a concern. Until officials can determine what happened, public access is restricted for safety precautions.

  • Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City
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  • Partial building collapse displaces family and businesses
    Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott
  • Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City
    Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott
  • Partial building collapse displaces family and businesses
    Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott
  • Partial building collapse displaces family and businesses
    Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott
  • Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City
    Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott
  • Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City
    Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott
  • Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City
    Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott

Once the cause of the collapse and the structural integrity of the rest of the building is determined, the City’s Building Department will decide whether the building needs to come down or can be restored. The historic nature of the building is being considered, as it was built in 1888.

The Economic Development team has contacted business owners to offer assistance during this time. If community members of Cañon City have any concerns about the structural integrity of a building, they should contact the City’s Building Official, Kathy Ulsh at (719) 269-9011.

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