A downtown Tacoma building that suffered major damage last month when its roof collapsed has been stabilized, according to City of Tacoma officials. The building, located at 2308 South Holgate Street, serves as a warehouse and workshop for the City’s Public Works Streets and Grounds employees. A large section of the building’s roof collapsed on Nov. 22 due to heavy rainfall.

According to Public Works staff, the City and Belfor Construction have worked to stabilize the building, remove debris, test for and abate hazardous materials, and recover City property. The building is now accessible and heaters are drying the interior. Additionally, Belfor is erecting temporary scaffolding which will support a temporary plastic roof. City insurance covers the initial response to stabilize the building, as well as the costs to restore to the pre-event condition including the additional costs to meet current code provisions after a $100,000 deductible. Employees are working with the City’s insurance carrier to develop a scope of work and a cost estimate to restore the building to the pre-event condition. Staff will develop alternatives that look at the relative costs of repairing versus demolishing the building and re-locating to a different location in coordination with the City’s insurance carrier. The re-location alternative is being looked at in accordance with the City’s long-term plans to move Public Works out of the building.

The building dates back to the 1900s and includes an addition constructed in 1945.