Rochester Tower Condo Residents Still Waiting to Return Home
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Residents of a downtown Rochester condominium complex are still waiting to hear when they can return to their homes.
The approximately 180 residents of Rochester Towers Condominiums were evacuated from the 12-story building along Second Street Southwest Friday evening after an inspection of the more than 50-year-old building found structural issues serious enough to spark concerns of a possible collapse. The dangerous situation also prompted city officials to close the streets surrounding the property, including Second Street.
Since then, city officials say contractors have shored up the building to reduce the loading on the columns where the structural integrity problems were identified. They note that the shoring work has "provided the immediate stability necessary, but it is not considered a full long-term fix."
Crews are continuing to assess the entire building to search for other potential issues. A news release from the City of Rochester indicates that timelines related to access by residents of the building, plans for remediation, and construction activities are dependent upon the ongoing assessment.
It was announced today that Fifth Avenue Southwest adjacent to the Rochester Towers Condominiums will reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic this evening. Officials say the roadway is no longer needed for staging equipment and construction materials.
