Church Collapse Spurs Rooftop Snow Clearing

Two more buildings collapsed in Anchorage Thursday

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Mar 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - It's been just over a week since a portion of Abbott Loop's church came crumbling down.

A roofing company is trying to clean up more than 120,000 pounds of snow, equivalent to the weight of a bowhead whale, off the roof, while five city inspectors have also been working around the clock to make sure the building is safe for work to continue.

Just yesterday, two other commercial buildings collapsed because of snow, which added to the workload for the city.

Sharen Walsh, the deputy director of the city's development department says the process to get a building re-opened can be lengthy.

“It’s up to the owner of the building to get ahold of a structural engineer to come up with a plan, bring it in for a permit to repair the building to a point that we feel safe to issue occupancy,” Walsh said.

Church members say although they've been left out in the cold for while, they hope their bad fortune will prompt others to take action.

“I think its sending a message to the community, especially if you have a flat roof or an older home, you should take and be cautious and do something about it,” Walsh said.

Before it's too late.
 

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