Facade falls from downtown Sandusky building

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials ordered a property owner to immediately stabilize his downtown structure after sections of the building detached and tumbled to the sidewalk below. On March 14, a resident told police "several portions of the facade at 142 E. Market St. were letting loose from the structure and falling from the building," a police report states. "A large piece of the concrete facade appeared ready to fall, and several other pieces had already fallen on an awning at the front entrance to the building."Officers blocked off the area, beside Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center, with caution tape. Sandusky firefighters then removed the loose pieces of facade. As of late Thursday, the area remains sectioned off.On March 14, sections of the building at 142 E. Market St. in Sandusky detached and tumbled from its foundation, forcing officials to section off this area, which remains blocked off as of late Thursday. It's likely water damage caused the problemScott Thom, the city's chief building official, provided an update on the situation."From my inspection on (March 15), it was determined that water infiltration of the masonry resulted in deterioration and is the probable cause for the failure," Thom said. "The owner will now need to stabilize the facade and submit plans for correcting it so this will not happen again."Erie County auditor records show Davis & Pinchot Investments, managed by Jared Jeffrey Davis. Davis promised to work with city officials as quickly as possible in hopes of remedying the situation.The building houses a thrift shop. It's upper floors, meanwhile, remain vacant, according to Thom.On March 14, sections of the building at 142 E. Market St. in Sandusky detached and tumbled from its foundation, forcing officials to section off this area, which remains blocked off as of late Thursday. It's likely water damage caused the problem. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.