Skip to content
NOWCAST KMBC 9 News at Noon
Live Now
Advertisement

Columbus Park building to be demolished after partial collapse

No injuries reported in collapse early Wednesday

A man who owns a travel agency in a building where part of the roof collapsed early Wednesday says he's going to reopen his business somewhere else.
A man who owns a travel agency in a building where part of the roof collapsed early Wednesday says he's going to reopen his business somewhere else.
Advertisement
Columbus Park building to be demolished after partial collapse
No injuries reported in collapse early Wednesday
A building that partially collapsed Wednesday morning at Missouri Avenue and Campbell Street is going to have to be demolished, Kansas City leaders said.Kansas City firefighters arriving at the scene just after 9 a.m. reported that a facade collapsed onto two vehicles.There have been no reports of injuries. People who live in the area said it could have been worse."We are very fortunate that we are not pulling bodies out of that vehicle or from the rubble," said D'Rashaan Gilmore.There are apartments on the second and third floors but both were vacant. Retail shops are on the ground level. The Vietnam Cafe often has a line out the door. Gilmore said the timing of the collapse was fortunate."Had that restaurant been open or even a minute before, probably, (or if) there were people in those cars, there are people along this sidewalk here very early in the morning, it could have been a very different story," he said.Thahn Diep's travel agency on the ground floor was ordered closed."I was surprised. I was shocked," Diep said. "We're going to have to relocate, that's for sure. I have to find someplace else to move."The city said that because of the immediate threat of further collapse and imminent danger to the public, the building has been declared an emergency. Because of its current condition, it could not be shored up. Demolition work could start as soon as Thursday morning.Gilmore said he's concerned about the businesses across the street."Vietnam Cafe is packed all the time," Gilmore said. "In fact, they're probably losing a great deal of business right now."11833402

A building that partially collapsed Wednesday morning at Missouri Avenue and Campbell Street is going to have to be demolished, Kansas City leaders said.

Kansas City firefighters arriving at the scene just after 9 a.m. reported that a facade collapsed onto two vehicles.

Advertisement

Related Content

There have been no reports of injuries. People who live in the area said it could have been worse.

"We are very fortunate that we are not pulling bodies out of that vehicle or from the rubble," said D'Rashaan Gilmore.

There are apartments on the second and third floors but both were vacant. Retail shops are on the ground level. The Vietnam Cafe often has a line out the door. Gilmore said the timing of the collapse was fortunate.

"Had that restaurant been open or even a minute before, probably, (or if) there were people in those cars, there are people along this sidewalk here very early in the morning, it could have been a very different story," he said.

Thahn Diep's travel agency on the ground floor was ordered closed.

"I was surprised. I was shocked," Diep said. "We're going to have to relocate, that's for sure. I have to find someplace else to move."

The city said that because of the immediate threat of further collapse and imminent danger to the public, the building has been declared an emergency. Because of its current condition, it could not be shored up. Demolition work could start as soon as Thursday morning.

Gilmore said he's concerned about the businesses across the street.

"Vietnam Cafe is packed all the time," Gilmore said. "In fact, they're probably losing a great deal of business right now."