Demolition work on one of two evacuated buildings in downtown Muscatine is expected to begin Monday after KWQC TV 6 News says city officials awarded a contract to remove the structure at 201 E. Second St.
A KWQC-TV 6 News article reports, according to a recent update from the Muscatine Police Department, the demolition contractor has started efforts to stabilize the shared wall between 201 E. Second St. and the neighboring building before teardown begins.
Over the weekend, Muscatine Mayor Brad Bark told KWQC-TV 6 that the building at 201 E. Second St. would be “strategically” demolished starting this week.
The update follows an incident Saturday when the Muscatine Fire Department responded to a report of a possible fire at the site. While firefighters found no fire, they discovered that part of the exterior wall of 203 E. Second St. had collapsed onto the roof of 201 E. Second St., prompting an immediate response from the demolition contractor to assess the damage.
Following an on-site evaluation, officials said the contractor determined the building had experienced additional settling. As a precaution, East Second Street was temporarily closed at the intersection with Sycamore Street to allow utility crews and KW demolition personnel to safely stabilize the area.
Bark told KWQC-TV 6 that crews are expected to work throughout the week on the demolition. He added that the exact timeline will depend on the condition of the buildings and further evaluations conducted as work progresses.
City officials thanked the public for its patience and cooperation during the project and urged residents to respect the street closure while continuing to support downtown businesses from a safe distance.
