'We're devastated': Eastern Market businesses try to figure out what's next after collapse

Detroit — Tenants of a building in Eastern Market that partially collapsed over the weekend are hoping a structural engineer can salvage what's left of the facility despite an order for demolition by the city.

An emergency demolition has been ordered for the Del Bene building at 2501 Russell Street on the corner of Winder and Russell in Detroit. The collapse happened at about 11:38 a.m. Saturday and the building has been too dangerous for crews to fully evaluate it, said Georgette Johnson, a spokeswoman for Detroit's Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department.

As for the demolition process, there isn't a timeline yet, Johnson said. First, the owner of the building is notified and they have a right to appeal or bring a structural engineer in to assess the damage.

The cause remains unknown. Should the building be demolished, the nearby Germack would be preserved, Johnson said.

"At this point, everyone agrees the building is dangerous," Johnson said. "More than likely, it will proceed with demolition."

Commercial buildings are inspected every two years in Detroit, but it's unclear the last time the Del Bene building was inspected.

Lauren Van Haaren, spokeswoman for Brooklyn Outdoor and J'adore Detroit, two businesses operating on the fourth floor of the building, said they are holding out hope the structure can be saved.

"Unfortunately, if the building is demolished, it will be the end of this business," she said.

An initial damage assessment found the building's south facade collapsed onto the sidewalk from the third and fourth floor, said David Bell, director of the Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department.

"The (emergency demolition) decision is based on the building being an imminent risk of further collapse in a location that poses a direct life safety threat to the public," Bell said over the weekend. "A complete damage assessment has not been performed because of the concern for the health and safety and welfare of those who would enter."

Van Haaren said no one from their team was present during the incident. She received calls from her brother who does maintenance on the building and a manager of Beyond Juice alleging an explosion occurred.

Brooklyn Outdoor is a Detroit-based outdoor advertising firm and J'adore is an event space.

"Words cannot express the shock and panic I experienced receiving this news," Van Haaren said. "As far as our future, it is unknown, but it is not looking good. We’re devastated."

Brooklyn Outdoor has occupied the space since 2013. J’adore Detroit had more of an organic start (initially as a blog about all things Detroit) but has been operating events in the space since 2017.  Both businesses operate in the same space, which is 2,000 square feet.

"At this time, we are aware that the city has ordered an emergency demolition. Eastern Market Corporation has communicated that they would like to save the historic building and get a structural engineer to address the situation," Van Haaren said. "What we have created there, with the charm of art created by local Detroit artists and muralists, custom furniture created by local artisans, and more, is something we won’t be able to recreate in another space."

The commercial building is owned by a Southfield-based limited liability company, according to city tax records. It was home to several businesses, including Beyond Juicery and Eatery, Jab's Gym, Detroit Vs. Everybody, J'adore Detroit and Brooklyn Outdoor, according to the Eastern Market Directory.

"We will be done if the building goes down. ... We can't rebuild this space," Candice Simons, CEO of J'adore Detroit, a fourth-floor business, who was out of town at the time. "It's just really devastating to think about the fact that like, we might not like be able to step foot in that space again."

Armond Harris, owner of Jab's boxing gym on the third floor, was inside when the wall collapsed. Visitors can look inside his gym from the street, Harris said.

"The brick wall failed and essentially collapsed," Harris told The News after the incident. "Our gym is dark inside and we have shades there, and in an instant, our windows just got ripped out."

The scene was chaotic, with people running to get out of the building as fast as possible, Harris said Sunday.

"Once the building started to fall, people didn't really understand ... You know, is the ceiling gonna cave in? Is the floor gonna give in?" Harris said.

Harris said has no idea what's going to happen to his business. The kickboxing gym also has locations in Ferndale and Birmingham.

"It's pretty stressful," Harris said. "I'm just praying for all the businesses and lives affected in that building."

Bell said the building's tenants should plan to relocate their businesses.

"We will do everything we can to help them reestablish expeditiously," Bell said.

City Council President Mary Sheffield, who represents District 5, said the safety of the public, business owners, workers and patrons is the top concern.

"With that said, we will do everything in our power in conjunction with the city's Building, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department to ensure that if the building is salvageable it is safe first and foremost," she said.

srahal@detroitnews.com

X (Formerly Twitter): @SarahRahal_