The City’s Building Department has been monitoring the condition of the Putnam Hotel located at 225 W. New York Ave. and has identified serious concerns with the structural integrity of the building. City staff requested the property owner, Axia Putnam LLC, to have its structural engineer assess the situation. City staff received written notification on December 29th from the structural engineering firm working with the owner of the Putnam Hotel that the structural integrity of the building has rapidly deteriorated on the east wing of the structure.
The report written by Bora Erbilen, P.E., S.E., M.L.S.E., F. ASCE, F. SEI, M.B.A., from BBM Structural Engineers, Inc. determined that the building may collapse in part or whole in the near future and that the structure is damaged beyond the point of repair and not salvageable. The report concluded with a recommendation that the building be demolished in whole.
“We are disappointed to receive the news that the Putnam has been deemed structurally compromised. The building has stood for many years in the heart of our downtown, and it is my hope that the property will be redeveloped in a manner that pays homage to the once prestigious hotel” said Mayor Chris Cloudman.
Jeremy Long, Managing Partner for Axia Partners, noted “We, too, are saddened with this outcome. We remain committed to finding a use for the Putnam site that pays tribute to the once prestigious hotel and the history of DeLand that it reflects.”
As for the immediate future of the ailing structure, according to the City’s Land Development Regulations (Article IV, 33-35.05), in an emergency situation, the Chief Building Official may order the remedying of the dangerous conditions.
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