Bricks Fall Off Old West Virginia Hotel, Safety Questioned

Falling bricks have raised safety questions about an old hotel in Clarksburg, W.Va.

The city closed one lane of a street and an adjacent sidewalk Monday after several bricks fell from the facade of the former Waldo Hotel.

City manager Martin Howe tells The Exponent Telegram that the lane and sidewalk will remain closed until the building’s integrity is investigated by city code enforcement officers.

The six-story building is owned by the Vandalia Heritage Foundation.

Martin Shaffer with the foundation says vegetation apparently force some bricks on the building’s southeast tower out of place. He says the tower will be repaired, along with a second tower.

Shaffer also says the building’s roof is being repaired.

Another local group called Demo the Waldo wants the building to be torn down.