Deputy managing director Maryann Marocolo said engineers and Licenses and Inspections will scaffold the building and take down the remaining brick wall.
By mid-afternoon, crews began the process of removing the remaining unsafe portions. Engineers will also take a look at other parts of the building that are showing signs of stress in the brick. Amazingly, no one was injured by the falling masonary. On a warm afternoon and evening, the sidewalk below is used for outdoor dining.
Mike Murphy, the restaurant manager, says "the tables would be right where the bricks fell down. It would have been a bad scene."
Still, an engineer was called, but before he could make it out, the collapse occurred. As to what triggered the trouble, one theory is that the brick façade was attached to the concrete building with metal strips that may have rusted out over the years.
"The building's from 1927," Callas said. "Through the ages, lots of snow and ice, for years and years."
