SEDALIA, Mo. — The City of Sedalia is moving to tear down a structurally failing building in the heart of downtown, filing a petition in court this week to have the property at 207 W. Main St. officially declared a dangerous nuisance that must be demolished.

In a statement, city officials said the urgent legal action came after an alarming report by licensed structural engineers, who determined that “a catastrophic collapse of significant wall areas to the ground is imminent in the foreseeable future.”

Public Safety Takes Priority

The building’s deteriorating condition has prompted the city to maintain sidewalk and street closures along the 200 block of West Main Street to protect pedestrians and drivers. Those closures will stay in place “until the area is deemed safe,” according to the city’s release.

City Working with Property Owners

City leaders said they’ve been in regular contact with the legal representatives of the building’s owners in recent months, exploring all possible options to stabilize or repair the property before turning to the courts.

Officials say additional safety inspections are also being scheduled to monitor the building’s stability while the legal process plays out.

Historic Context and Local Concerns

While the city did not specify the building’s age, Main Street is lined with historic commercial structures dating back more than a century. Older properties like this one often face challenges when deferred maintenance and structural issues go unchecked, leaving city officials with limited options to protect the public.

Preservation advocates have previously urged Sedalia to save and restore historic Main Street buildings whenever possible. But with engineers warning of an imminent collapse, city leaders say demolition is the safest — and only — option in this case.

What Happens Next

The court will now decide whether to grant the city’s petition declaring the building a nuisance and authorizing demolition. If approved, the city will likely move quickly to clear the site and lift safety barriers for the surrounding block.

Sedalia officials say they remain open to input from the community and the property owner’s representatives, but stress that public safety is the priority.

Originally reported by Rebecca Spezzano in KOMU.