Here’s what Cleveland Heights officials say may have caused a building façade to collapse onto the sidewalk

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS , Ohio (WJW) — After the Wednesday afternoon collapse of a building façade along Mayfield Road, the city has ordered the several businesses inside, as well as the sidewalk outside, to remain closed until a structural engineer can determine if the building is safe.

Cleveland Heights officials announced in a press release on Wednesday that the front of the building along Mayfield Road had collapsed onto the sidewalk. No one was hurt.

“While we have to wait for the engineer’s report to know precisely what happened in this case, three general factors may contribute to a façade’s failure: age, lack of maintenance and how the façade was initially constructed or altered,” reads a Thursday statement from city Building Commissioner Eric Elmi. “Unfortunately, defects in a façade are often not visible and can only be identified by a qualified structural engineer.”

Businesses in the building include Bill’s Cafe, Kulture Ultra Lounge and Authentix Barber Shop & Salon and Fraiche Brunch Bar.

Wood, bricks and other debris littered the sidewalk in front of the building on Wednesday afternoon. It was closed off to the public while Cleveland Heights firefighters and building and fire inspectors were at the scene. Drivers were advised to find an alternate route as crews cleaned up. One lane of the road was blocked and traffic backups were expected.

As of Thursday, most of the debris had been cleared. However, several nearby businesses remain closed, with “No Trespassing” signs posted around the affected area.

The manager of a nearby hair salon, located close to where the façade fell, expressed disbelief that no one was hurt.

“Everybody walks that way every day, from the neighborhood people, from business owners — everybody,” said Shaniya Thomas.

Thomas emphasized how fortunate they feel to still have their business open but sympathized with her neighbors who have been forced to close.

“No, I could imagine. I don’t know what we would do. So I’m just grateful it didn’t hit this side,” Thomas added.

In mid-August, the Fairmount Cocktail Bar on Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights had to close after the upper façade of its building came crashing down . The establishment was able to reopen the following day.

Mayor Kahlil Seren’s administration plans to propose legislation that would, for the first time, require building owners to bring out certified structural engineers for routine inspections of building façades, and maintain them if needed, Elmi said.

“The city of Cleveland Heights has been extremely fortunate that no one was injured due to the two recent façade-related incidents and is acting quickly to put its new system in place to help guarantee the public’s safety,” he said.

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