The Albert Lea City Council Monday approved spending more than $24,000 to ensure the roof at 132 S. Broadway Ave. does not collapse.

“The brick is so soft and degraded that we have to replace 2 feet of it and re-tuckpoint 6 feet down, so it’s an 8-foot strip of wall that’s being completely reinforced in order to actually carry a new roof within code,” said Albert Lea Building Official and Zoning Administrator Wayne Sorensen.

The addendum to the contract with Joseph Co. was made after councilors last month approved a $56,400 contract with the company to conduct work at the downtown address, formerly a hobby shop. Councilors ordered emergency abatement on the property in December because of safety concerns posed by the building’s condition. Other buildings on the block have adjoining walls to the building, posing other concerns.

During the council meeting, Sorensen presented an October report from the firm Jones, Haugh & Smith that found the split roof of the building had deteriorated to the point where water had entered the building over several years. As a result, the roof joists over the lower portion of the roof weakened and the structure was failing.

According to a report last month by Zenk Read & Trygstad, the components of the building were “poor to very poor,” and the structure presented an immediate risk to the life and safety of occupants.

“Staff opinion is that the roof structure has shifted since the additional shoring,” according to city staff. “At this point in time we are looking at imminent failure. Snow, rain and other factors will contribute to how soon. If more time passes before roof is removed, additional temporary support should be done.”

According to estimates, to demolish the back 42 feet of the building would cost at least $105,000 and would decrease the building’s worth by 25 percent. The city is not looking at that as a viable option.

Sorensen said emergency shoring of the main building area, asbestos inspection, roof material testing and other steps have been undertaken at the building since the council issued emergency abatement at the property.

It is estimated the city has already committed more than $94,000 in work to the building. In a study session prior to the meeting, 2nd Ward Councilor Larry Baker suggested the owners of the property be aware of the cost the city is incurring for work at the address.

During the council meeting, 6th Ward Councilor Al “Minnow” Brooks expressed concern the city will end up paying for the building if the owners of the building do not pay the assessed value of repairs.

After the meeting, Brooks said councilors approved additional work “because they (inspection department) feel it is a public safety hazard and that it can’t be delayed any longer due to the fact that — not being an expert on it — due to the fact that they feel it will come down sooner rather than later.”

Brooks said ideally, work on the building would be less expensive.

“It’s going to be a secure building now, and hopefully the owners — it would be great if they would like to just assume that responsibility when it’s all over and do something with that building,” he said. “If not, I guess we’ll cross that bridge then, that there will be a secure building out there ready to occupy.”

In other action, the council:

Authorized an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to perform a flood mitigation study in the area between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes, including U.S. Highway 65 between Lake Avenue and Katherine Street.

“Flooding in this area has caused (Highway 65) to be closed for varying time periods, from a few hours to a few days,” said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams in a report.

Approved plans and specifications and ordered bids for 2018 Albert Lea street and sidewalk construction projects.

Waived the Blazing Star Trail Joint Powers Board annual audit after the cities of Albert Lea and Austin formed a joint powers authority entity for Blazing Star Trail.