HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The partial collapse of a 140-year-old building in Hutchinson has raised the attention of the city building inspector and the planning department.

The old sugar mill suffered damage when a portion of the elevator shaft fell to the ground Feb. 4. Because the bill to repair the building is in excess of $250,000, the building will likely come down.

Trent Maxwell, the city building inspector, says they are weighing the options for dealing with the older buildings in the city:

 

 

Interim Planning Director Jim Seitnater says the city wants to be proactive in making sure the buildings are sound, but also knows that their reach is somewhat limited since they do not own the buildings. Seitnater says the city’s help could come from better education for property owners:

 

Maxwell has some advice for owners of older buildings. He says there are certain things to look for, especially with the recent seismic activity that occurred over the past two years:

 

Seitnater says the older buildings, especially in the downtown area, were closely examined after the series of gas explosions that rocked the town in 2001:

 

Seitnater says many building owners could face extreme costs to make repairs to brick and stone buildings if they are needed.