City Council moves forward with St. Francis Hotel front wall demolition
Believing the burned out remains of the St. Francis Hotel on Main Street pose a threat to public safety, the Susanville City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-6375 at its Wednesday, Nov. 20 meeting, authorizing the execution of construction services agreements for investigation, search, traffic safety, and partial demolition, also authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with NST engineering to assess the structure, and authorizing the finance director to modify the budget in response to the St. Francis fire of Nov. 1, 2024.
According to the staff report, “On Nov. 1, 2024, a fire destroyed the building located at 830 Main Street, commonly known as the St. Francis Hotel. City staff took immediate action necessary to safeguard the public. The California Government Code requires the City Council to review the emergency action taken and if said action is still on-going, the City Council must determine if it is necessary to continue without going out to bid or issuing contracts. A 4/5 vote of the council is required to continue the action.
The front wall of the St. Francis Hotel was still standing early Thursday afternoon.Staff has authorized the following actions on an emergency basis:
- Rental and installation of construction fencing.
- Placement of K-rail barrier.
- Rental equipment for partial demolition.
- Contractor assistance with search and investigation.
- Engineer services for structural assessment.
Staff asked the council to, “Review emergency actions taken to safeguard the public and determine if it is necessary to continue the emergency action.”
According to a Wednesday, Nov. 20 email from City Manager Dan Newton to St. Francis Hotel owner Justin Wight obtained by Lassen News, “Kelly forwarded your email to me and I have reviewed the engineer’s report. Due to the eminent danger the front wall poses to the public and the uncertainty of your timeline to brace the structure, the city cannot wait to address the safety hazard. This afternoon, Lassen Superior Court Judge Mark Nareau lifted the protective order, and the city will be proceeding with the partial demolition of the structure as indicated in the Summary Abatement Notice issued on Nov. 7, 2024. Until further notice, I request that you communicate directly with me regarding your plans for the building.”
A historic Uptown building appears to be history.Newton informed Wight the city planned to proceed with the partial demolition of the front wall” beginning today, Thursday, Nov. 21.
On Nov. 15, Wight informed the city that Andrew Hammond, of Element Engineering in Sacramento, California, had made “a structural evaluation and statement of findings” that the rear and front wall of the building both were “salvageable,” and that Hammond planned to “design a bracing system to reinforce the walls while demolition is occurring. The braces will also allow the adjacent travel lanes to be reopened.”
Hammond said it would take 10 to 14 days to develop the bracing plans and calculations.
