Lincoln Street between Washington and Jefferson is now closed due to building condition
More cones and barricades surrounds the building known as “Lincoln Place” this week.
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Like a malignant tumor, the situation at the Lincoln Place building at Washington and Lincoln in Wellington seems to be worsening.
The city of Wellington has blocked off Lincoln Street between Washington and Jefferson due to safety concerns with the building. Information came to light this week that there is a standing pool of water on the building’s roof from this week’s rain.
Wellington Interim City Manager Shane Shields said the street will remain closed until an official report by a structural engineer is filed with the city on the condition of the building. He is hoping that the owner Jan Spevak will furnish a report to the Wellington City Council before or at its next meeting Tuesday night. If not the city will pursue a report on its own.
In the meantime, Shields said a resolution has been drafted for Tuesday’s meeting that declares the building an “immediate hazard to the public.” The resolution will give the city authority to make the building temporarily safe if the owner is unable to do so at the owner’s expense. Also, it will provide the city authority to demolish the building immediately if it is deemed a public safety hazard by a certified engineer.
“That does not mean we will be doing it,†Shields said. “It just gives us the authority to do so if it comes to that.â€
The building was closed and barricaded on July 14 by the owner’s themselves (see article here). Red Beard’s Barbershop was located on the corner of that building and was immediately closed.
Spencer Furman, owner of Red Beard’s Barbershop, had initially expressed surprise and confusion when he was told the building was inhabitable in mid July. He stated today on the social media website Facebook he will not be returning to the location to reopen his barber shop if the building becomes functional again. He said he will instead move himself and his daughter out of the community.
Shields said the council could use the services of the city’s consulting firm – Professional Engineering Consultants in Wichita to determine how safe the building is. He anticipates it would take one or two days to perform such a report.
“The problem we see is on the third floor,” Shields said. “We still don’t know specifically what the problem is.”
There is speculation that the building was damaged due to the recent spat of earthquakes in the area.
Shields said that has not been determined. The resolution’s language will simply state that possible damage could be due to “recent unknown causes.â€
