MOUNT VERNON — The status of buildings at 100 and 108 N. Main St. topped the agenda when the Mount Vernon Dilapidated Buildings Commission met Tuesday in council chambers. Attending the meeting with the commission was Larry Fogle, Mount Vernon City Code Enforcement Officer.
A section of the former Grohe Funeral Home at 108 N. Main St. crumbled late Monday, sending numerous bricks from the structure to the ground and prompting an immediate concern for safety in the area of the building. Commission president and Safety-Service Director Dave Glass said the building’s owner, Mark Ramser, had planned on demolishing the building, but the recent collapse will accelerate the process. The sidewalk and Main Street to the west of the building were closed to auto and pedestrian traffic. City officials are meeting with demolition and asbestos abatement contractors to determine when demolition can begin.
In the meantime, northbound traffic on Main Street is being rerouted across Chestnut Street to Gay Street. Southbound traffic is being directed over to Mulberry Street to get around the closed block. Glass stated he is hopeful that the southbound lane will be opened as early as today. A concrete barrier will go up to keep the one-way traffic in the southbound lane only.
While the demolition process is being planned, concern was also raised for the apartment building next door at 100 N. Main St.
“Our concern is for safety of this structure,” said City Engineer Cameron Keaton. “We will be sure to take extreme precaution while the other building is being demolished.”
Glass stated the owner has plans to restore the building, and that a state permit may be required
