A building in downtown Portland was evacuated Tuesday due to the threat of collapse. A portion of the building, located on SW Fifth Ave., between Columbia and Clay streets, appeared to be buckling.
City engineers evaluated the interior and exterior of the building Tuesday afternoon and concluded that the visible damage was not structural. Rich Chatman with Portland Fire and Rescue says his office believes the damage is on the exterior of the building.
Dylan Rivera with the Portland Bureau of Transportation said sidewalks directly underneath the building will remain closed. The 10-story building which dates to 1951, houses offices for eBay, FedEx and Oregon Health and Science University as well as a gym and daycare center.
“Pedestrians in the immediate vicinity of this building should obey all barricades and other caution tape and other warnings,” Rivera said.
Scaffolding will be put up around the exterior of the building to protect pedestrians in case of falling debris.
Four streets around the building were reopened to cars after being closed for several hours. TriMet also resumed service in the area. Occupants of the building were being let in to get their belongings, but authorities haven’t said when they’ll be allowed to return to work.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
