Looks like someone had a bad day.

 

 

A portion of the top floor of the building collapsed, raining bricks on the car. I don't know if anyone was hurt. There was new caution tape around the entire building.

 

We like to say that these old buildings are well constructed of solid brick, but nothing lasts forever.

 

 

^Brick seems to be the most precarious building material. I should do a photo thread sometime of crumbling and bulging brick, its not all its cracked up to be.

That's what happens when an owner milks a building for cash flow and doesn't look after the roof and/or parapet caps.

 

Several years ago, the parapet along the entire 80-foot length of an old brick four-story warehouse in downtown Fort Wayne let loose during evening rush hour and came crashing down onto the sidewalk and street. I don't think anyone was seriously injured (no one walks in Fort Wayne), but several cars were badly trashed.

^We had an infamous case of that in Columbus about 20 years ago.  Part of a building facade fell down and trapping several people (I don't think anyone was killed, but I could be wrong).  Among those affected was (then) City Council member Ben Espy (later state rep and ran again Lushuka for Mayor after Reinhart called it quits).

I don't remember which building it was, but I believe it was along Broad Street.

 

  I have since learned that the building is owned by the City of Cincinnati and the car was a city car.

 

  The building has been surrounded by a chain link fence with "O'Rourke Wrecking" signs.

 

  Incidently, the car was a Toyota Prius. This particular Prius didn't do so well in terms of fuel economy because it died an early death.

 

 

  The building is being demolished now.

Wow.

 

I remember seeing that building years ago when it was semi-active, like most of the buildings around it. In horrible shape and sketchy, but at least it was occupied.

 

And now... demolition. I remembered seeing this a few weeks ago but didn't notice the crushed car :(

 

How long was it abandoned for?

  The crushed car was removed after about a week.

   

  I don't know how long it has been abandoned. It has certainly been underused for many years. If I am not mistaken, it was owned by Queen City Barrel, and became city property just a few years ago.

 

    About three bays have been torn down now. Demolition is expected to take 6 weeks. It was known as the MyNeil building.

 

    As the building is surrounded by parking lots and a gas station, the view will really open up when this building is gone.