Drivers and pedestrians may want to choose a route that doesn’t include 11th Avenue from Toronto Street to Ottawa Street in Regina today.

The block on the south side has been fenced off after demolition workers and firefighters worked to take down a building that became a public safety hazard. The building, which was located at 1303 11th Avenue, suffered a structural failure on July 18 when its roof collapsed.

Nobody was in the building at the time of the incident and residents in the house next door to the building were evacuated for safety precautions. No injuries were reported.

“Some of the structural walls had shown some real signs of pushing out,” shared Neil Sundeen, deputy fire chief with the Regina Fire Department.

The area was cordoned off and experts were called in to analyze the structure after the roof caved in. Sundeen said the city worked with the owners and came to the conclusion that this was the best option for the building which had not been used for several years.

He added that the building presented a “risk of imminent structural collapse”.

“I saw where the structural integrity had come apart and where the roof joists had pulled apart, causing the roof to collapse and pushed on the outside walls,” explained Sundeen. “It was a real risk for anybody in the area walking by because it could have collapsed at any time.”

Costs from the project will be charged to the owner of the property. The debris will sit on the site and be fenced off throughout the long weekend until crews begin the safe removal of the structure on Tuesday, August 4.

Sundeen anticipates that 11th Avenue will reopen at end of day Friday, however he is asking drivers to choose an alternate route in the meantime.