City contends building could collapse

Leaning parapet wall faces the Main Street pedestrian mall

Structural engineers will inspect an old Downtown building for signs it could collapse onto the Main Street pedestrian mall.

Shelby County Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter opened way Thursday for the inspection during an emergency hearing into possible structural issues in the 105-year-old building at 107 S. Main.

The Downtown Memphis Commission requested the hearing, saying an upper parapet wall has leaned over and could fall into the street.

The legal action follows commission efforts to spur the repairs of worn Downtown buildings, a campaign ramped up about four years ago.

City officials identified about 150 properties in the central business district and nearby Midtown as neglected by owners who can’t afford repairs or are reluctant to upgrade. Some are holding off spending in anticipation of public projects driving up property values, city officials say.

While high-profile renovations are underway on some of those properties, such as Chisca Hotel, Sears Crosstown and Tennessee Brewery, the commission is currently in negotiations with owners of about 10 other buildings, including 107 S. Main, which housed Woolworth’s department store for half a century.

“I question whether it’s an emergency,” Memphis lawyer Adam Nahmias, attorney for the building owner, told Potter on Thursday.

Potter directed the city agency and the lawyer to confer in a hallway and both sides came back with a decision to each bring in their own engineers. The lawyers will report back to Potter on April 17.

The commission earlier filed a legal action imploring building owner Allan Long to fix the vacant building. The complaint contends leaks in 107 S. Main could damage adjacent buildings redeveloped into apartments.

Citing the Tennessee Neighborhood Preservation Act and local ordinances, the city earlier asked Potter to declare the building a nuisance and require Long show a remediation plan and proof he can afford the work. If such a plan is not submitted, the city has asked the court to appoint a receiver. Potter has not ruled on the request.

Long did not attend Thursday’s hearing. Nahmias said he was traveling.

Long Development LLC of Memphis bought the building in 1998 for $280,000.