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Iconic building collapses.
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
WALKERVILLE – A 116-year-old landmark building that was a hotel long ago collapsed this week.
The two-story 3,000-square-foot brick building that recently served as a tavern crumbled to the ground due to deterioration, according to owner Michael Shaw. It now kind of looks like a war zone in the village as a huge pile of rubble dominates the landscape in downtown Walkerville.
The site is surrounded by caution tape and construction barrels to keep people off the property for obvious safety reasons.
Photo courtesy of Christopher Miller.
Shaw, who lives in the Upper Peninsula, said he bought the building a few years ago through a tax auction and had intended to renovate it. “I love history and architecture,” he said.
Unfortunately, approximately a month ago, the building was showing signs of instability. “It started bow, so I went down there and put up caution tape.” Shaw said there was a “kind of big shift” that indicated that the building was going down. He also erected warning signs to let residents know it was unsafe.
Shaw said he just found out Thursday, Oct. 11, that the old tavern fell down. “It was not a pleasant call to receive.”
He’s been in contact with demolition people and is selling materials
Photo courtesy of Christopher Miller.
from the building as salvage parts. In addition to the bricks, there is hardwood flooring and copper piping.
Residents said that bricks have been falling out of the building for the last several years, and bar patrons would avoid parking on the east side of it due to the potential of bricks falling on their vehicles.
Shaw said those who are interested in buying the scrap materials, preferably trading architectural salvage rights for demolition, to email him at jmshawii@hotmail.com.
He asks that people stay off the property for safety reasons.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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