Part of Gable’s building reopens

12th Avenue section passes inspection; 11th Avenue section remains condemned

The 12th Avenue section of the Gable's building has reopened after passing a city inspection last week that reversed a condemnation issued in response to the failure of sprinkler heads during a recent cold snap, according to Interim City Manager Joe Merrill.

The condemnation order remains in effect for the 11th Avenue section, Merrill said.

Four of the six tenants that had occupied the 12th Avenue section have returned, according to Blair County NAACP Branch President Andrae Holsey, one of two tenant co-managers for the out-of-town building owner.

Those tenants are the NAACP, Keystone Connect, Dancing DJ's and Divine Visionaries, Holsey said.

The other two tenants are considering their options, which include moving into different spaces in the building, Holsey said.

There are also two prospective new tenants considering whether or not to move into the 12th Avenue side, Holsey said.

The 11th Avenue section, which was vacant and unheated before the condemnation, will likely be inspected within a week, Holsey said.

It will pass when that inspection occurs, he predicted.

Electrical and structural engineers have evaluated both sections of the building and deem them to be safe, with no significant water damage to the electrical systems or the structure, Holsey said.

The owner, his representatives and the experts he has hired to evaluate the building have worked "day in and day out" for the past three weeks to make sure everything is safe, Holsey said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.