Eastern Market building owner files appeal, pauses demolition after partial collapse

Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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The owner of the Eastern Market building that partially collapsed Saturday is urging the city to hold off on demolishing the structure.

Owner Scot Turnbull on Wednesday filed an appeal, which temporarily pauses demolition on the building at 2501 Russell St. until a hearing and the appeal is considered. The appeal indicates Turnbull retained a team of architects, structural engineers and material scientists to investigate the building’s structural stability and whether it can be salvaged.

The property’s insurer, Encova Mutual Insurance Group, retained the team from Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., led by Brian Tognetti, upon receiving notice of the collapse and demolition order on Saturday.

A gaping hole following a partial collapse is seen on the second floor of a building known as the Del Bene building at the corner of Winder and Russell in Detroit, across from Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
A gaping hole following a partial collapse is seen on the second floor of a building known as the Del Bene building at the corner of Winder and Russell in Detroit, across from Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

The city's demolition order indicates the Del Bene building was inspected and deemed structurally unsound, unsafe and in "immediate danger of collapse or failure" that would endanger the public after partially collapsing, injuring one pedestrian.

Insurer's team disputes city finding of immediate danger

The city immediately issued an emergency demolition order on the building, though a date has not been set. The city declined to provide recent inspection and certificate of compliance records without a Freedom of Information Act request, which is pending.

Turnbull could not be immediately reached for comment.

Tognetti and his team were on-site Tuesday and Wednesday and did not observe visible signs of hazardous conditions on the west, east and north facades using a drone and binoculars, according to the appeal.

More: Neal Rubin: Let's look before we leap to knock down that damaged building in Eastern Market

The south façade has six vertical structural bays. Tognetti determined “the failure was localized to the third and fourth floor levels of this south facade” and could be temporarily stabilized. A qualified restoration contractor could provide any needed stabilization and shoring for the property, according to the appeal.

A gaping hole following a partial collapse is seen on the second floor of a building known as the Del Bene building at the corner of Winder and Russell in Detroit, across from Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
A gaping hole following a partial collapse is seen on the second floor of a building known as the Del Bene building at the corner of Winder and Russell in Detroit, across from Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

“Mr. Tognetti and the (Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates) team do not believe that immediate demolition is necessary before a complete assessment of the structure occurs,” according to the appeal letter.

A message was left with the attorney representing Turnbull.

The building houses Jabs Gym, J'adore Detroit, Detroit Vs. Everybody, Brooklyn Outdoor and Beyond Juicery and Eatery. Tenants are prohibited from entering or occupying the building without written permission from the city.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact Dana: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastern Market building owner Scot Turnbull appeals demolition order