Empty shop space in a building at 335 Central Ave. in Coos Bay will remain empty after the city of Coos Bay determined that the is deemed substandard. The city considers the roof a collapse risk and will not allow anyone to occupy the building. Left, the doors to the building display the notice from the city of Coos Bay that no one can enter.-World Photo by Lou Sennick

The city of Coos Bay has declared a two-story downtown office building substandard, paving the way for its repair or demolition.

The Lockhart Building, at 335 Central Ave., is empty and in disrepair. Its green awnings are covered in mold and several windows have been boarded. White paint is peeling from exterior walls. The storefronts are empty, except for some extension cords littering the floors and old business signs etched on the windows.

City Manager Chuck Freeman said the city received a letter from Keith Riley Architects in 2001 indicating the building was substandard. Since then, attempts to get the property owner to improve the building have been made, but to no avail. Freeman decided to force the issue because of liability concerns.

“All our downtown buildings are an interest to us,” Freeman said. “We have a building that’s substandard. The issue has got to be addressed.”

Barry Hardman, the city’s building inspector, did just that. On June 23, he posted a “Danger” notice in one of the building’s windows. The chief problem is with the roof system, he said, which does not provide sufficient support. The city is under the impression unapproved alterations were made at some point to the 95-year-old building. That included the removal of about half the roof joists.

“We assumed someone went in and altered the structure,” Hardman said.

Hardman said it is at risk of collapsing, with one floor pancaking on top of another all the way to the ground.

According to the Coos County Assessor’s Office, Gary Mountain, of Campbell, Calif., purchased the property in 2005 for $215,000.

Jim Hossley, Coos Bay’s director of public works, said Mountain spoke to the city about his plans to upgrade the building shortly thereafter, but never provided written blueprints.

“They were all verbal” plans, Hossley said.

Mountain now has until Aug. 1 to present a structural engineer’s report that the building is safe or else present a plan to upgrade the building. If these steps are not taken, the city could declare the building dangerous and require its occupants to vacate it within 30 days. That would only affect one business, Hair Co. Etc. Salon & Day Spa, the last remaining tenant.

If the city gets no response, it could declare the building a public nuisance and have it demolished.

Hardman said the city has had trouble contacting Mountain. City staff have not talked to him directly for some time, relying instead on a maintenance worker and the owner of Hair Co. Etc. to pass word on to Mountain.

The city’s declaration comes as somewhat of a surprise to Matt Miller, one of several investors who thought their money would be used to refurbish the building and help spur economic growth.

The Cupertino, Calif., man said he invested “many thousands of dollars” with Mountain in 2005. He is disappointed to hear nothing of the sort has taken place.

Mountain did not return calls to his cell phone. His Campbell business phone number has been disconnected or is no longer in service.

Hardman said the city had great hopes Mountain would renovate the Lockhart Building rather than have it demolished.

“The city wants people to step forward to take responsibility for their buildings,” he said.

(Staff Writer Alexander Rich covers Coos Bay issues for The World. He can be reached by calling 269-1222, ext. 234; or by e-mailing to arich@theworldlink.com.)