Davenport Building Owner Sues Engineering Firm Over Collapse

The owner of the Davenport, Iowa apartment building that partially collapsed in May has taken legal action against the engineering firm responsible for inspecting the structure. Andrew Wold, the owner of Davenport Hotel LLC, alleges multiple counts, including negligence and breach of contract, against Select Structural Engineering.

The collapse has left Wold entangled in a series of lawsuits initiated by individuals affected by the incident, with Select Structural also being named as a defendant.

Wold’s lawsuit asserts that Select Structural failed in its duty to properly assess and communicate the risks associated with the building’s condition. According to Wold, the engineering firm was retained in February to conduct a comprehensive inspection, with a specific focus on the west wall of the building. He claims that his reliance on Select Structural was total, expecting them to identify defects, recommend necessary repairs, and highlight any potential dangers to the building’s residents.

The lawsuit alleges that Select Structural’s inspection, conducted by employee David Valliere on February 2, 2023, did acknowledge some damage to the west wall but concluded that it did not present an imminent danger to the entire building or its occupants. However, on the same day, the City of Davenport’s Chief Building Inspector, Trishna Pradhan, issued an official notice of a public hazard for the building, citing gradual failure of the southwest wall and visible damage to the load-bearing wall.

Pradhan’s notice stipulated necessary repairs based on Valliere’s report, with a deadline of February 24 for structural wall repair permits. Despite Valliere’s assertion that the damaged area was not an imminent threat, Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Haut issued an official notice to vacate on February 9, citing unresolved violations.

In response to the vacate notice, Wold hired a contractor to implement the shoring and support measures recommended by Valliere’s report and enlisted Bi-State Masonry to repair the west wall. During this process, Bi-State identified a void between the façade and the supporting concrete masonry unit. Valliere conducted a follow-up inspection on February 23, confirming the progress.

On March 1, Valliere informed Pradhan via email that the repair work was proceeding according to his design. By May 17, Bi-State had completed its repairs to the west wall, and the City of Davenport reportedly approved the completed repairs. Valliere conducted another inspection on May 23 at Wold’s request, and his subsequent report did not indicate any imminent danger or need for evacuation.

The building partially collapsed on May 28. Wold’s lawsuit against Select Structural Engineering contends that the firm’s negligent acts and omissions played a pivotal role in the collapse. He seeks a jury trial and denies any liability for damages resulting from the incident.