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Roof collapse shutters building
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The 148-year-old Youngstown Maennerchor building on Mahoning Avenue suffered a partial roof collapse last week, causing the structure to be condemned by city officials.
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The roof collapsed over the Youngstown Maennerchor’s dance hall last week. A contractor, with the help of club volunteers, has been working to clear the debris. Funds are being collected at the downtown Home Savings and Loan to rebuild the roof.
By Ashley Luthern
YOUNGSTOWN
One of the oldest clubs in Youngstown is rallying to put a new roof on its 148-year-old Mahoning Avenue building, after part of it collapsed last week.
The Youngstown Maennerchor, founded in 1863 as a German men’s singing society, purchased the historic building at 831 Mahoning Ave. in 1925. Now a sign is taped to the door reading: “Condemned as Dangerous and Unsafe” as of last Thursday.
“It was condemned because the roof over the dance hall collapsed,” said Brenda Williams, Youngstown’s chief building official. “It appeared to be structural damage from an air-conditioner installation. I say ‘appeared’ because it was too dangerous to get in.”
However, Maennerchor members continued work Tuesday to remove debris and should finish the cleanup today or Thursday, said Richard Hart. Hart has been part of Maennerchor for 21 years, serving as club trustee for 15 years.
Williams said she will inspect the building before the end of the week and will remove the condemnation signs if the debris pickup is completed.
“The plan is to raise enough money to put a roof on,” Hart said. “... I think we’re going to be OK.”
He praised volunteers who donated time.
“We’ve had a fair amount of volunteers. It depends on their work schedule, age, physical ability. ... But anyone could make us a hamburger,” Hart said, smiling.
The dance hall, or ballroom, where the roof collapsed is an important part of the club’s income, he said. The space is often rented for anniversary, wedding and birthday celebrations.
Anyone who would like to donate to the roof replacement can do so through the Maennerchor Building Fund at the downtown Home Savings and Loan.
“We want to protect the building as rapidly as possible,” Hart said.