2. 1636 Lincoln Way West_COA 2022-0404 - Structural Assessment

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56 SOUTH LASALLE STREET, SUITE 102 AURORA, ILLINOIS 60505 TEL 855.822.1966 loosening and breaking the mortar and brick bond eventually causing the brick to release from the wall as was observed in this location. 2. The outer brick veneer exhibited numerous other locations on the north, south, east, and west facades with isolated missing bricks and larger areas of missing bricks in the outer veneer. Each of these locations allows more water into the wall system that will further deteriorate the walls and result in freeze thaw damage that could cause larger sections to dislodge from the wall and fall to the ground or onto the surrounding low roof systems. 3. Several of the brick parapet walls exhibited varying amounts of missing and deteriorated brick and mortar. These conditions are particularly hazardous as the parapet walls must sustain a substantial amount of wind, and given their deteriorated state, large sections could be highly susceptible to high winds blowing individual bricks and/or entire sections of the parapets off the building. 4. The single story west elevation wall and a section of the single story south elevation exhibited collapsed areas of wall and roof. The remaining structural elements around these areas are damaged and could collapse further at any given time creating particularly hazardous conditions. RECOMMENDATIONS: Regarding the appropriate immediate course of action, it is our opinion the building and surrounding sidewalks, parking lots and streets should be closed off from public use until the deleterious conditions are appropriately handled. Regarding the appropriate remedial action moving forward; it is our opinion complete demolition of the structure is the most reasonable and financially feasible course of action. The following rationale supports this conclusion:  The building is in such an extremely deteriorated state that any efforts to have laborers install the appropriate shoring and safety measures in order to make the building safe enough for remedial work to take place would be, in our opinion, too hazardous.  Restoration of a building with as much façade deterioration as observed in this building, where the missing areas and sections of brick have left the inner wythes of the walls exposed to the elements for an extended time, typically means the majority of the exterior walls are compromised to the extent that a large percentage of them would have to be completely removed and replaced.