Rapid City authorities respond to a leaning tower at the Block 5 construction site, prompting evacuations and road closures.
Rapid City first responders are currently investigating a structural integrity issue at the Block 5 construction site in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. The issue involves the foundation of one of the towers, which has been reported to be leaning towards Kansas City Street. As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed off Saint Joseph Street between 7th Street and 5th Street and evacuated nearby buildings. The construction company responsible for the project has plans to dismantle the tower and address the issue, but it will take time to complete the process. In the meantime, police and fire units are on the scene to monitor the situation, and the public is advised to avoid the area for their own safety.
Construction Company Responds to the Incident
The developer of the Block 5 project, Lloyd Companies, released a statement addressing the situation. According to the statement, the elevator tower at the construction site had been compromised, but no injuries were reported. The construction teams immediately halted their work and evacuated the site and surrounding area as a precautionary measure. Upon investigation, it was discovered that a product failed at one of the corners of the elevator shaft during its erection. This resulted in the tower shifting one inch at the base, causing a slight lean. However, the tower remains solidly on the property’s foundation, which is intact. The construction company assured the public that this is an isolated issue and will be rectified by deconstructing the shaft in the coming days. They anticipate minimal delays to the overall development and express gratitude to the Rapid City Police Department and Rapid City Fire Department for their assistance.
Impact on the Block 5 Development
Block 5 is a mixed-use development project that includes a parking garage with over 300 spaces, a hotel, a convention center, and more. While access to the construction site is currently limited, Lloyd Companies has confirmed that the tower’s leaning does not pose a threat to the overall foundation of the development. The company is committed to ensuring the safety of the site and the surrounding area and will continue to work closely with the authorities to address the issue promptly. Nearby residents and businesses, who were initially evacuated, have been allowed to return as the immediate danger has been mitigated.
Safety Measures and Future Plans
Authorities have taken necessary precautions to ensure public safety by cordoning off the area and evacuating nearby buildings. The construction company is working diligently to rectify the issue and prevent any further damage or collapse. The deconstruction of the compromised elevator shaft will be carried out by an experienced subcontractor in the coming days. Rapid City Police Department and Rapid City Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation until the tower is safely dismantled.
Conclusion: The structural integrity issue at the Block 5 construction site in Rapid City has raised concerns among authorities and nearby residents. However, the developer, Lloyd Companies, has assured the public that the tower remains solidly on its foundation and that the issue is isolated and will be rectified promptly. While the incident has caused temporary road closures and evacuations, the overall development is expected to proceed with minimal delays. The safety of the site and the surrounding area remains the top priority, and authorities will continue to monitor the situation until the tower is safely dismantled.
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