Gym owner seeks answers after forced closure due to safety concerns with nearby building
RUTHERFORD, Tenn. — One business owner is seeking answers after being forced to close his business due to public safety risks.
Travis Hamilton currently owns Main Street Fitness in Rutherford, right in the center of Main Street.
The building adjacent to the fitness establishment had bricks fall off of it back in October.
Due to this hazard, caution tape and barrels to be placed around the perimeter of the property for public safety.
“We were never ordered to shut down back in October. However, a building inspector came out at that time at the name of Ricky Watson. He’s a building inspector for the state. He advised the town to get a structural engineer,” said Hamilton.
According to Hamilton, months went by with no action being taken to alleviate safety concerns.
“Fast forward to March 31, bricks fell off the building which you guys have covered which we appreciate. When the bricks fell off then it damaged a car, scared some people, and the police officer thought he heard shooting because more bricks were falling,” said Hamilton.
SEE ALSO: Possible building collapse in Rutherford leads to multiple closures
He says city officials demanded a shut down on half of Main Street based on the recommendation from the state fire marshal for establishments that could potentially be in the fall zone.
“That happened for a day or two. They ended up opening up the building across the street, so currently we’re the only business in Rutherford that’s shut down due to this issue,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton says, without any money coming in, he and his wife’s dream of turning their life savings into a business in their hometown has now turned into the opposite of that by being afraid of indefinite closure and losing it all.
“We don’t want to place blame on one person individually. We’re just looking for a clear line of communication for something to actually happen. We want something to tell us like ‘This is what’s going to occur.’ What town ordinances are going to follow? They have those that are there that would help out public safety and buildings. We’re just looking for answers on why this wasn’t taken care of back in October when there were first warnings from the fire chief, and building inspectors. Why do we have to wait all the way until April the 1st for there to be action taken now?” said Hamilton.
He is pleading for the city to help Main Street Fitness stay open. We reached out both the mayor and fire chief several times today but have yet to hear back from either one.
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