Partial collapse

The front portion of a building in downtown Redkey partially collapsed Thursday.

Plans are in place to investigate whether the structure can be restored or must be demolished.

The northern brick portion of the building at the southeast corner of Union and High streets collapsed during rainy weather about 8 p.m. Thursday. 

No one was injured.

Property owner Glynn Barber said he believes the damage resulted from a rusted steel beam hidden behind the bricks that failed to support the front portion, leading to bricks and other debris spilling onto the sidewalk and street.

“That’s a bummer,” said Barber. “It was kind of a shame, but we knew we were going to have to do some demolition … we just didn’t know the building was that (much) in disarray.”

Glynn and Kellie Barber of Redkey purchased the property just over a year ago. The building has changed hands at least three times since 2017, according to Geographic Information System data. At one time, it served as Redkey Liquor Store.

The Barbers have been renovating a few different properties in Redkey — one of them includes the house at 517 N. Meridian St. on the northwest corner of the intersection of Indiana 1 (Meridian Street) and Indiana 67 (Vine Street) — and planned to do work next on the building at the intersection of High and Union streets. Glynn Barber hoped to turn it into an educational facility or museum for Redkey.

“We’re hoping we can salvage it,” he said, noting its restoration will largely depend on the cost.

As for now, the main priority is safety.

Barber cleared debris from the streets Thursday after the collapse. Redkey Town Council president Brenda Beaty and her husband, John, put up barricades, traffic barrels and caution tape to block off the building from pedestrians shortly after the partial collapse Thursday.

She confirmed Friday the town’s attorney, John Brooke, will send a letter to Barber outlining the town’s expectations for the building moving forward.

“All these buildings really need some TLC, and if you don’t keep up on them, this is what you get,” said Beaty.

“It’s just a sad situation to see all of our structures that were once so beautiful in town (in this state),” she added.

Town marshal Zach Moser pointed to Redkey’s unsafe building ordinance, which mirrors Indiana state law. Whether Barber is cited with an ordinance violation depends on what happens to the building in the next few weeks, he added.

Barber’s stepson, Ryan Sutton, cleared debris from the sidewalks around the structure Friday.

“Our big thing now is getting the building safe so nobody gets hurt,” said Barber.

He plans to begin additional cleaning next week, with portions of the west and north side of the building that are not structurally sound expected to be taken down. Barber also plans to have a structural engineer evaluate the structure and determine if it’s able to be restored. If not, it will be demolished.

“(We’re) hoping we can save it for the community, because the building is such a staple,” he said.