The owner of the collapsed Kramer Roof building in downtown McComb has until Sept. 2 to provide a structural engineering report showing whether it is safe to resurrect the landmark.
City Judge Jwon Nathaniel told Tyrone Taylor of New Orleans at a court hearing Friday morning that he’d be fined $500 if he failed to produce the report.
Nathaniel rejected a report Taylor provided from Jackson-based structural engineer Jimmy Halfacre, saying it was not to his satisfaction.
“He could have given me more time due to the depth of what we’re trying to accomplish, but hey, that’s the judge,” Taylor said after the hearing. “That’s his decision.”
Taylor bought the building, which collapsed on July 23, 2017, in a tax sale on March 18. He said he plans to renovate it into a multipurpose facility, but he didn’t provide other details.
Nathaniel had already granted Taylor a 30-day extension on July 1 to provide a structural report.
Nathaniel said Halfacre’s report was not a sufficient structural engineering report.
“I reviewed this, Mr. Taylor,” Nathaniel said. “That’s not what I’m seeing.”
Nathaniel said a feasibility study needed to be completed, and he needs to see if the building is a safety hazard.
“Pretty much what I’m looking for is a structural engineering report to tell me if the building is viable, if it can be saved,” he said.
Taylor said he understood the report he provided to show the building is safe enough to rebuild.
“I guess he stipulated that,” Taylor said of Halfacre.
“He didn’t stipulate that,” Nathaniel said in disagreement.
Taylor said he is trying to save the building.
“I’m not part of the problem,” he said. “I’m part of the solution.”
Zoning Director Henry Green said he wanted to see something in a structural engineering report showing it is safe to move forward with resurrecting the property.
He did note the property should not cause any immediate danger to surrounding facilities and the ground floor is solid.
McComb architect Steve Cox spoke on Taylor’s behalf, saying the report indicated it is safe to resurrect the property.
“His message was it’s in reasonable condition to proceed with a renovation,” Cox said.
