PEKIN, Ill. – Discussions will soon begin about the future of what remains of the Pekin Township Office building.
The south and west walls of the building on the 400-block of Elizabeth St. collapsed last week. Cleanup in the area that had collapsed finished on Thursday, and protective fencing around the building was removed.
Around 75% of the building is still standing, but Pekin Chief Building Official Nic Maquet says there are some concerns with it.
“There are some other structural cracks, roof concerns, issues that are still there, as well as some other code violations we found inside. So these items will have to be addressed, plus whatever repairs that the structural engineer may have for the building,” Maquet said.
Maquet says the building has been deemed “dangerous” and “uninhabitable” because of those concerns.
Another inspection of the building is expected to be completed by Friday, which is also the same day a meeting will take place to talk about the next steps between the city of Pekin, Pekin Township leaders, and the structural engineering firm hired by Pekin Township.
“Once we have a better idea what the report says and a further inspection, we’ll have an idea of where we’re going to go with it,” Maquet said.
Maquet says there is some good news with the building neighboring the township office building, which houses a law office and two apartments. He says all tenants have returned, and the building only suffered exterior damage from the building collapse.
