March 28, 2024
Demolition order for collapsed Iowa apartment building
DAVENPORT, Iowa — As the investigation continues to figure out how the apartment building in downtown Davenport partially collapsed, residents are speaking out about the buildings condition prior to the devastating incident.

The building was built in 1911, and according to residents, had endless issues from water leaks to large cracks in the walls.

"There is always something wrong with the water," said resident Toriana Hill. "It's always something wrong with the building period." Hill moved into the apartments in October; the problems, like the roommate you wish you never had.

"When you first come into my apartment, on the right hand side, before you go into the kitchen, there was a crack," said fellow resident Yvette Williams. Yvette moved in November from California and was excited to begin a new life chapter. "It's a dream come true to move downtown," she said.

That dream has now become a real life nightmare that began months ago. Yvette recalls seeing construction workers taking bricks off the building and throwing them into a dumpster. Those images now casting a dark shadow in her mind.

"We shouldn't have been there, and how dare them, shame on them," Yvette said. "I just don't have a place and I lost everything. I have a job, but I don't have work clothes. It's just sucks," she said with tears streaming down her face.

Davenport officials told WQAD News 8 that right now they don't believe anyone died in the collapse. But, eight people were injured.

The owner of the building has been served with a notice and order for demolition, city officials said Monday. “The property is currently being secured by a contractor and demolition is expected to commence Tuesday,” Sarah Ott, the city’s chief strategy officer, said in a media release.
Story Date: May 30, 2023
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