A timeline of concerns raised about Iowa apartment building, months before it partially collapsed

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A Timeline of Concerns Raised About Iowa Apartment Building

FEB. 2, 2023

• MidAmerican Energy reports deteriorating brick wall at the southwest corner of the building.
• Chief Building Official signs notice of public hazard, indicating gradual falling and visible crumbling of the wall.
• Emergency vacate orders threatened if the area is not secured.
• Engineer’s inspection concludes the damaged area is not an immediate danger.

FEB. 8

• Engineer sends a follow-up letter with recommendations for necessary repairs, emphasizing caution in demolishing the failing wall.

FEB. 23

• Engineer performs follow-up inspection, discovering a potentially dangerous void beneath the façade.
• Repairs seemed to be progressing well, according to an email from the engineer.

FEB. 28

• West wall collapses into the scaffolding, indicating the need for more extensive work.

EARLY MARCH

• Bi-State Masonry stops working on the building, requesting additional compensation.
• City notes indicate that all work on the building ceases.

MARCH 9

• City notice states that the material used for wall reconstruction is not allowed, demanding emergency repair work with matching brick.

MARCH 13

• Fire Marshal cites lack of compliance with fire safety violations and requests correction within 20 days.

APRIL 17

• Building representatives fail to meet city officials for a scheduled inspection.

MAY 23

• Engineer visits the building.

MAY 24

• Engineer issues a report indicating that patches on the west side of the brick façade are at risk of imminent collapse.
• City issues a permit for work on the wall and sends a nuisance abatement order for garbage and waste.

MAY 28

• West wall of the building collapses.

MAY 29

• City officials declare the building an imminent public hazard and demand immediate demolition.

Q: What were the concerns raised about the Iowa apartment building before it collapsed?

A: Concerns were raised about a deteriorating brick wall at the southwest corner of the building, including visible crumbling and a gradual falling of the exterior load-bearing wall. Additional concerns involved a potentially dangerous void beneath the façade, fire safety violations, and issues with the stability of the structure.

Q: Were there any prior inspections or reports conducted on the building?

A: Yes, engineers and city officials visited the building multiple times in the months leading up to the collapse. They conducted inspections, prepared reports, and issued notices of public hazard. The most recent engineer’s report, released just days before the collapse, indicated that the west wall appeared “ready to fall imminently.”

Q: Did the building owners and city officials take any action to address the concerns?

A: The building owner and city officials were involved in discussions and repairs. However, there were delays and complications. The building repair progress seemed to be going well initially, but subsequent inspections revealed that the collapse required more extensive work than anticipated. There were also issues with compliance regarding fire safety violations and the use of appropriate materials.

Q: Was there any enforcement or penalties imposed for the violations?

A: The fire marshal issued a letter detailing non-compliance with fire safety violations and requested corrections within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply could result in fines and possible revocation of the rental license. However, it’s unclear if any penalties were imposed before the collapse occurred.

Q: What happened after the collapse of the building?

A: Following the collapse, city officials signed a notification of public hazard and demanded the immediate demolition of the structure, considering it an imminent, clear, and present danger. This action was taken to ensure public safety in the aftermath of the tragic incident.