Fort Scott commissioners press owners for engineer reports, insurance and contractor details for 118 East Wall Street

Fort Scott City commissioners on Sept. 9 told the owners of 118 East Wall Street they must produce a structural-engineer report, redacted copies of contracts and proof of insurance before the commission will consider any next steps to address a deteriorating front façade that engineers say could fail.

The discussion came during a special meeting called to address the building’s condition after an engineer’s July letter — later presented to the commission — warned that the front façade posed a safety hazard and recommended immediate stabilization measures including scaffolding and a protective canopy.

Commissioners said the city is seeking documentation so staff can confirm whether the contractor the owners have engaged has a structural engineer who will certify the work and to determine whether the city must act to protect public safety. "I cannot say definitively," Jason, an engineer who reviewed earlier reports, told the commission when asked whether a façade failure would definitely collapse the whole wall, but he said the probability was "higher than not." The property owners told the commission "we do have insurance," and read language from a report by structural engineer Tom Schwartz stating the north façade "carries only its own weight" and "would not cause a collapse of the structure of the building."

Why this matters: commissioners repeatedly said that downtown public safety and the risk of falling masonry on a three‑story, street‑front building make prompt, verifiable action essential. Commissioners and staff said they need stamped structural…