The Observation Deck

One of the nicest old buildings in Lakewood took a bad hit about 4:00pm this afternoon,
closing Detroit Avenue between Hopkins and Newman while they figure out what to do.


The intricate terracotta facade fell off the top of the building.


As you can see, it would have been deadly. A person was biking by and got knock off his bike. Across the street Zombies were at the 5 O'Clock and came over to help. It would have
looked like this in the re-enactment...


The someone of some mountain wanted me to make it clear he is not taking responsibility
in case it was a terrorist zombie attack.


Owners of the building and the fabulous Shore Restaurant Tina and Angelo told me to tell
everyone, they are hoping to open tomorrow but call first.




You can see where the rest of it is falling off and unsafe.

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/image ... 5eb1ad.jpg

Thanks, Jim! LO does it again!

I saw the commotion and thought to myself, I wonder if Jim O'Bryan is there, and sure enough... first to break the story!

Thankfully noone was hurt.
Hopefully the businesses will be up and running very soon.

It's been quite a week on Lakewood's east end of Detroit Avenue!

That's quite unfortunate. Assuming there is insurance on the building how could you estimate rebuilding or repairing that kind of ornate structure? Do skilled artisans even ply the trade here anymore who could do the work?

Really sad, such a unique façade. And the Shore ... hopefully they can reopen soon. It does make me wonder if there are any other timebomb buildings out there. The old Bischof Interiors building on the east end is concerning ... perhaps this will kick off a new round of inspections?

Stan Austin wrote:That's quite unfortunate. Assuming there is insurance on the building how could you estimate rebuilding or repairing that kind of ornate structure? Do skilled artisans even ply the trade here anymore who could do the work?

Stan

Talking with Angelo yesterday, he mentioned last fall looking into getting it "rehabbed" and spruced up, and was looking
at about $7,000 a store front for the tuck pointing, and resetting and repairing the terracotta. I was down this morning, and I see
very little salvageable from what fell. Though there are enough full pieces to get molds from so it could be rebuilt, but at what cost?


The day after.








Some of the terracotta detail on the building.

.

Could the guys laying brick at the Bob Evans repair this building?

Maybe that's the metaphorical comparison that has been a recurring theme in many of these posts.