Timeline: 207 W. Main Street

2012

• Demolition of 205 W. Main Street
  The building directly east of 207 W. Main is demolished.
  The formerly interior east wall of 207 W. Main becomes exposed. A shotcrete (parge) coating is applied to protect the masonry, but the wall was not built to withstand direct exposure to the elements.

2017

• January 17 – Wallace Engineering conducts on-site inspections as part of a broader evaluation of downtown buildings.

• March 8 – Wallace submits its report for 207 W. Main:

  • Roof deterioration and moisture infiltration noted

  • Cracked and loose masonry, structural water damage

  • Inadequate shoring in the basement

  • Significant corrosion observed on steel beams supporting the front sidewalk, requiring further evaluation

  • East wall’s structural integrity could not be fully assessed due to shotcrete coating applied in 2012

2021–2022

• December 2021 – Main Street Sidewalk Replacement Project begins, led by Wilson & Company

  • Sidewalk removal in front of 207 W. Main uncovers an old coal shaft beneath the structure

  • Construction pauses while engineers design a stabilization plan

  • The coal shaft is filled using incremental 12-inch concrete pours to reinforce support beneath the sidewalk

• 2022 – Project resumes and the sidewalk is completed following proper stabilization

2023

• September 7 – Notice of Violation issued to Walter & Frances Clark:

  • Missing bricks, damaged mortar, cracks in stone and brick joints

  • Structural separation at parapet and foundation level

  • Multiple open voids and unrepaired exterior hazards

2024

• February 21 – Sedalia City Council passes Ordinance 11983, authorizing structural evaluations of downtown buildings

• April 30 – Notice of Violation issued to Walter & Frances Clark:

  • Reiterates unrepaired issues from 2023

  • Requires roof and exterior wall repairs by May 10

• June 3 – Notice of Violation issued:

  • Lower front wall is collapsing inward

  • Progress on PST-identified structural issues required within 30 days

  • Also cites an unlicensed gray Mazda on the property, requiring removal or legal registration by July 3

• June 5 – PST Engineering delivers its report:

  • Declares structure unsafe and structurally unsound

  • Identifies roof collapse, bowing walls, rotted framing, failing foundation, and significant pest and moisture damage

• Late June – Severe storm tears off the roof, causing rapid interior collapse and worsening wall/foundation failures

• October 10 – Ownership transfers to Dana Melton and David Dixon, despite an active code case and unresolved violations

• November 25 – Notice of Violation issued to Melton and Dixon:

  • Reiterates legal status of building

  • Requires urgent structural repairs to roof and exterior walls by December 5

2025

• June 3 – Notice of Violation issued to Dana Melton and David Dixon:

  • City closes sidewalk and eastbound traffic in the 200 block of W. Main due to worsening collapse risk

  • Administrative search warrant granted

  • SPD prepares drone inspection if interior access is unsafe; key provided by owners' legal counsel

• June 4 – Structural Engineer Frank Comer inspects the building:

  • Finds partial collapse and structural movement already underway

  • Notifies SPD and Public Works; barricades installed

  • Warns of cascading collapse risk to neighboring structures, including 209 W. Main

  • Recommends immediate shoring or demolition

• June 25 – Comer submits the Block 7 Building Collapse Assessment:

  • Structure deemed beyond repair, with foundation and framing failure throughout

  • Predicts imminent collapse threatening adjacent buildings

• July 23 – City files petition (Case No. 25PT-CC00113) to have 207 W. Main officially declared a dangerous nuisance requiring demolition

• July 31 - City personnel, inspectors, and an engineer conduct an exterior-only evaluation of surrounding buildings. No entry or demolition occurs. Documentation also submitted to Judge Mittelhauser for the emergency hearing.

  July 31 (Order Issued) – Judge Mittelhauser confirms the City already has authority under the municipal code to proceed with demolition. Court denies petition for additional relief but affirms responsibility rests with Chief Building Official Bryan Kopp.

• August 6 – City enters 209 W. Main under an administrative search warrant for a structural and asbestos inspection. Findings from ARSI, Inc. to be used by Miller Structural & Forensic Engineers to create a demolition plan.

• Mayor Dawson also requests expedited review of a federal grant to protect nearby historic 217 W. Main.

• August 26 – Owners Melton and Dixon, through attorney Steve Fritz, submit a settlement proposal asking the City to cover demolition costs, reimburse fees, and backfill the lot.

• Late August – City declines the proposal, citing unfair use of public resources and owners’ repeated failure to repair.

• September 18 – Owners appeal to the Board of Appeals and request a stop order to pause demolition.

• September 23 – City issues a Request for Bids for demolition of 207 & 209 W. Main.

• October 8 – Sedalia Board of Appeals meeting scheduled.

• October 14 - RFB due at 10:00am.