Update: Three people presumed dead in collapsed building ruins

There are three men — all presumed to be dead — missing in the ruins of the partially collapsed apartment building in downtown Davenport. That was the latest update from City of Davenport officials, who this morning, June 1, discussed the new developments at a news conference regarding The Davenport. The downtown apartment building — […]

There are three men — all presumed to be dead — missing in the ruins of the partially collapsed apartment building in downtown Davenport. That was the latest update from City of Davenport officials, who this morning, June 1, discussed the new developments at a news conference regarding The Davenport. The downtown apartment building — at 324 Main St. — partially collapsed at about 5 p.m., Sunday, May 28. 

Earlier this week, city officials said they believed five tenants from that building were unaccounted for, with two likely still somewhere in the building. On Thursday, however, after more investigation, they added that two of those missing have been accounted for, and now a total of three are likely deceased in the collapsed portion of the structure. The three missing men are identified as: Daniel Prien, Brandon Colvin and Ryan Hitchcock, according to city officials. Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said first responder workers are now in a “recovery” status, not a rescue status, at the building site. He added: it’s “highly probable, they (the missing men) are within the collapsed space of the building.” Mr. Bladel added that two residents who were recently listed as unaccounted for have since been located. The two people turned out to be former residents of the apartment building who had moved out of the building. One person was found in Davenport, the other in Texas.

“Our priority is helping (the families) get through this horrific situation,” the police chief said. He added that the search process has been complicated by the fact the building has a history of a transient population within the structure. “City staff is aggressively collaborating with partners who serve this population to ensure all are accounted for,” according to information from the City of Davenport. Following the Davenport Police Department’s protocol, the three missing men will be placed in the National Database of Missing Persons. Missing Persons flyers also are being created and will be disseminated, the city indicated. In addition to searching for the three missing men as well as possibly homeless people who may have been in the building, city officials are moving forward with plans to eventually demolish the former apartment building. At Thursday’s briefing, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson called the building “dangerous, and it’s shifting,” with more debris falling every day. He said it needs to be demolished. However, the mayor would not provide a timeline for the demolition work because the city is consulting with companies to do the job in a respectful manner because the building site likely contains the three men’s bodies. “This needs to be done in a way that respects this is a resting place. … It has to be done in dignity and a respectful way,” the mayor added. The upcoming demolition of the downtown building has sparked demonstrations in the past few days. Protesters have said until all people are located and accounted for, they do not want the building to come down. About 20 protesters still were near the building site Thursday morning displaying signs stating “We are here,” “Stop the lies. Save them first,” and “Stop slumlords.” The city’s building permit, safety inspection process also was discussed during the city’s update meeting. Richard Oswald, Davenport’s director of development and neighborhood services, told the media that a clerical error was made during a recent permitting process for the building, and a city staff member resigned on Wednesday because of that error. According to the city, on May 25, a permit for the building was created by a staff member in the city’s permitting software system. While creating the permit record, a check box for passing the permit was mistakenly checked due to a clerical error. Later on May 25, city staff was at the building site conducting an inspection. “After the inspection on May 25, the staff member responsible for completing the documentation of the on-site inspection left town. When the staff member returned to the office on May 30, they entered their notes from the onsite inspection. … At that time, the error of the permit being noted as ‘passed’ was changed to ‘incomplete,’ which is what triggered the external facing system to present as ‘failed.’ The city recognizes the gravity of the error that was made and the resignation of the staff that was involved was given (Wednesday, May 31),” according to information from the city. City reports and permits on the building can be found here. Also on Thursday, city officials said they planned to provide information on financial assistance to residents during a meeting later today. Much of that assistance is being handled through the Red Cross. Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, told the QCBJ that a financial assistance program is being put together to help area businesses impacted by the building collapse. Business leaders also were expected to meet today to discuss that program.  For more information about resources for residents impacted by the collapse, visit here.