Building is Stabilized After Collision at Intersection of Highways 136 and 75

Stabilization work is now complete at the damaged building at 923 Central Ave., clearing the way for the next phase of assessment and repairs following a Dec. 30 semi-truck crash.
The building, owned by Grow Auburn, Inc., has been shored from the basement to the roof, and the exterior wall has been braced to ground level. Construction fencing now surrounds the site.
Structural engineers spent five hours inside the building last week and are expected to issue a formal report outlining the extent of the damage and recommended next steps. With the support work in place, insurance representatives will now be able to enter the structure to complete their evaluations.
The damage stems from an early morning collision on Dec 30 in which a northbound semi-truck struck a parked vehicle before crashing into the southwest corner of the building. The impact pushed the vehicle into the structure, causing significant damage to the brick exterior and the one-story south addition.
Grow Auburn is currently seeking bids to demolish the one-story portion of the former chamber building. Further action on the property will be determined after the structural report is completed.