Last Sunday, an unsettling cascade of bricks and debris marked the beginning of a harrowing week for the residents of an Akron apartment building. The facade of the structure located on South Main Street gave way, leading to the displacement of 60 residents after the city deemed the building dangerously unstable. Amid the chaos, Theresa Halaek recalled to News 5 Cleveland, "I heard it falling Sunday afternoon, about 4 p.m. Two seconds later, I was up looking out my window. I [saw] a bunch of bricks on the sidewalk."
Following the initial collapse, by Monday, The Summit County Division of Building Standards had conducted an inspection that revealed critical structural concerns, prompting city officials to close off the adjacent sidewalk and street parking. The building, which the Akron Beacon Journal reports dates back to 1915, was subsequently condemned. As the week progressed, further deterioration was observed, leading to an immediate evacuation order for the building's residents on Thursday after discovering a non-functioning fire panel solidified the threat to their safety.
In the wake of the evacuation, the city coordinated with Metro RTA to transport those without alternative accommodations to nearby shelters. The majority of the displaced individuals have managed to secure temporary housing on their own, while those still searching for shelter are being supported by several city agencies as per the city's advice. These displaced citizens have the option to call 2-1-1 for resources at any time, according to a statement obtained by Cleveland19.
Nevertheless, the immediate challenge of finding long-term housing looms large for some, as resident Joseph Formosa told News 5 Cleveland, "We've all paid rent and have no money, no means of anything. I have 15 cents in my pocket." The Peter Maurin Center has opened its doors to provide emergency accommodation and is appealing to the community for volunteers to assist through the ongoing crisis. While the future for these Akron residents remains uncertain, community support continues to play a pivotal role in their path to stability.
