SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Sullivan officials have announced an emergency evacuation of a city block.
The area being evacuated is near 12 North Court Street, the former Bodine Law Office building. The evacuation impacts Sullivan City Hall, Sullivan County Community Corrections, Followell Real Estate, Followell Law, Paws & Claws and Toys Auto Parts (NAPA).
The evaucation is due to unexpected structural degredation Wednesday morning at the former Bodine Law office, a 3-story building immediately south of city hall.
The strucutre has suffered some issues in the past. Officials say the city had been taking steps to make the building safe in hopes of preserving the structure. However, officials say in a press release that the building will have to be completely demolished.
“Our ultimate goal has always been to preserve these buildings. We had been in conversations recently to try to do a historic restoration of this building,” states Mayor Clint Lamb. “It’s unfortunate that a lot of these buildings that were built around the same time are now having structural issues at the same time. This isn’t a problem unique to our city, but it is happening across the nation. While we want to seek to preserve buildings like this one, the safety of our people is always the most important consideration.”
Gas to the area has been shut off and all inhabitants of buildings on the block were instructed to evacuate.
Drivers are also asked to avoid the area.
