Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms thanked property owner Matt Stern and city staff Wednesday, June 21, for their response to the evacuation of a downtown building at 217 17th St. earlier this week.
The three-story building was evacuated on Monday, June 19, following a report of bricks falling from the structure.
“I am proud of the city’s immediate response in evacuating the building and ensuring tenants were safe,” the mayor said in a city news release. “The good communication demonstrated between the city’s inspection division, fire and police departments served to prevent a possible dangerous situation. The city appreciates the prompt response from owner Matt Stern and his willingness to do what is necessary to correct the situation and bring the building into code compliance.”
The building was initially evacuated by Rock Island Fire Department, Fire Chief Robert Graff said. Emergency personnel were called to the building at about 7:45 p.m. Monday in response to a neighbor’s call about bricks on the sidewalk that appeared to have fallen from the top of the structures.
Residents were quickly evacuated and the Fire Department assessed if there were any life safety issues and asked the city’s Inspections Division to assist in evaluating the building. Residents were safely housed elsewhere, the city has said, while the owner and staff began the process of assessing the structure.
Mr. Thoms said in the Wednesday news release that he had been in regular contact with Mr. Stern, who was out of town Monday, but sent a business partner and independent structural engineer to the site immediately. Both continue to work with city officials to assess the situation, according to the news release.
“I have been engaged with city officials, engineers and contractors to get the situation resolved quickly,” Mr. Stern said Wednesday via the city. “We have also offered assistance to all the tenants.”
Miles Brainard, Rock Island community and economic development director, said Mr. Stern and his business partner have been working with staff to have a structural assessment done and intend to proceed with repairs. There have not been any complaints about structural issues with the building before the incident Monday.
The three-story building contains four residential units on the upper floors – only three of which are occupied – and one commercial unit on the ground floor that houses a shop called Spellbound.
“The City of Rock Island, like its neighbors, regularly inspects rental properties and cites property owners for code violations identified during inspections,” Mr. Brainard said. “Depending on the condition of a building, it may be inspected every year or every few years. More frequent inspections may also be done following resident complaints.
“Of the older and larger apartment buildings in Rock Island, the majority are located in the downtown area. The city regularly inspects these properties and there are not any major concerns at this time that it is aware of,” he added.
Mr. Brainard said properties owned by the Rock Island Housing Authority or other government entities are inspected by state and federal officials. The city is not aware of any concerns with those properties, either.
“The building official and his team, as well as the fire department and other partners, take their role in ensuring a safe built environment seriously,” Mr. Brainard said. “No one should have to worry if the building they live in might be unstable or dangerous. When a landlord fails to properly maintain their building, staff acts to hold them accountable and takes necessary action to bring the building into code compliance.”
Rock Island residents who have a complaint or concern are asked to contact the Inspections Division at (309) 732-2910. Staff will investigate their concerns and address any issues. The Fire Department is a partner in building safety and assists with investigating associated fire code issues.
