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City delays permit decision, sets Oct. 15 deadline after partial structural documents for 118 E. Wall
Summary
Commissioners voted Oct. 1 to extend the permit/document deadline for repairs at 118 East Wall to Oct. 15 and require a structural engineer’s report and timeline for work from the contractor before allowing removal of public restrictions or issuing final clearances.
The Fort Scott City Commission voted unanimously Oct. 1 to extend to Oct. 15 the deadline for the owner and contractor at 118 East Wall to provide a full structural engineer’s report and a timeline for repairs.
Background: Staff told the commission they had received partial documents from the property owner, Jose Montanez, and a contractor identified as Brad Bruce of Retro Pros. The package included a contractor’s scope of work and a certificate of liability insurance for the contractor, but not a stamped structural engineer report or the building owner’s insurance policy. The city’s codes staff and the city engineer said the facade and party wall show significant distress; a report on file described the wall as an immediate hazard.
Why it matters: City staff closed part of Wall Street to protect pedestrians and adjacent property after codes enforcement classified the condition as an immediate hazard. Commissioners said they want a structural engineer’s stamp certifying permanent repairs before lifting the restrictions or allowing occupancy.
What the commission asked for - A signed/stamped structural engineer’s report for the contractor performing the repairs, not only an earlier report associated with a prior consultant. - A repair timeline and scope that addresses the party wall, the east wall and roof areas identified by the city engineer and codes staff. - The owner was asked to provide the building insurance policy; staff said the owner had told them a policy exists but had not yet provided a copy.
Action taken Commissioners voted to extend the previous deadline; the motion requires the contractor to produce the structural engineer report for the work being performed and a timeline for the repairs by the Oct. 15 commission meeting. The commission also discussed options for condemnation and the city’s authority to abate an immediate hazard if the owner fails to act.
Technical notes from staff and the structural engineer’s summary The structural engineer’s memo included two repair paths and recommended scaffolding that is internally and externally braced and tied through the building for safe inspection and permanent repair. The memo warned that attempting permanent repairs from a portable aerial lift would be “unsafe and impractical.” Staff noted the contractor’s current scope relies primarily on work conducted from a 45‑foot boom lift and would not, as written, meet the structural engineer’s option 2 investigative steps.
Taper: The commission will revisit 118 East Wall at its Oct. 15 meeting and may proceed to condemnation or abatement action if staff do not receive the required structural documentation and timeline by then.
