News
The newly renovated clerk’s office at City Hall.
Ancon Building Services responds to emergency situation at City Hall
Posted: 01/05/2010
ELKHART -- The third floor of City Hall is finally back together again.
The top story of the city's municipal building opened for business again late last month, after portions of its ceiling collapsed in September.
"Everybody's back working, back in place," said Arvis Dawson, Mayor Dick Moore's executive assistant. "It's beautiful."
Plaster ceiling supports and the tiles covering them collapsed inside the city clerk's office overnight in late September. No one was in the area at the time, but some equipment was damaged.
The entire floor was closed, and staff were relocated to other areas or other city buildings. Traces of lead paint were found on the tiles, and additional air filters and cleaning crews were brought in to prevent lead dust from spreading through the building.
All of the third floor ceilings were replaced, but no contaminants were found on the first or second floors. Dawson said the rest of the building was inspected, as well, and was deemed to be sound.
"We're not sure why the third floor in particular caved in," he said. "It was more age than anything."
Bills for the repairs are still coming in, but Dawson estimated the work cost about $200,000, and will be paid for from the Board of Public Works budget.
