Greenfield Considering New Building Inspection Guidelines
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In the wake of a deadly building collapse in Greenfield last month, city leaders are looking to change their policy when it comes to inspecting buildings more than 50 years old. They are proposing inspections every five years at the building owner’s expense, and officials said they are working on these changes to keep residents safe. But some building owners are not pleased with the proposed changes that would include them paying the entire bill for each inspection. Bob Rawls, who is the Chief Investment Officer for Greenfield Banking Company, located in downtown Greenfield, told 7 Eyewitness News he feels safe walking through the buildings, but would feel safer if an engineer told him it was safe. He said the last time his bank was inspected was when it was remodeled 25 years ago. If the city has its way, inspections will happen more often. “I think that’s a very good idea,” Rawls said. “We certainly don’t want any of our citizens to get hurt in our buildings.” He believes it is worth the money, but some building owners want the city to help pay. Patricia Sellers, who owns Carolyn’s Dollar Plus, said she should not have to foot the entire bill to have an engineer inspect the buildings. “I don’t think that’s fair,” Sellers said. “It wasn’t our fault that this building started falling down like they were. If [the city] had left it alone it wouldn’t have happened.” But Rawls said even if the municipal code does not change, he will still get his building inspected on a regular basis. “We’re talking with our [Bank] Board now that we do need to have it inspected.” The city said the ordinance has to pass two more readings in order for it to be approved. The second reading will be at the next city alderman meeting, March 13.
