The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-23
BUTLER CONDEMNS
old DAVIS HOTEL
Describes Structure as in Last
Stages of Dilapidation
and Decay.
MUST vAcATE AT ONCE
Insecure Foundations, Bullying
Walls and Great Fire Risk
Render 1t Dangerous.

Building Inspector Butler yesterday
condemned for further use and oc-
cupancy the four-story brick building
used as an hotel by Lee j. Davis on the
south side of Main Street between
Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets
just opposite the Chesapeake ana ono
station. Mr. Butler said that the build-
ing was one of the worst he had ever
gone over, the walls resting on crumo,
ling and insecure foundations. ana
bullying in way 20 render them actual
~ dangerous to occupants OF lhe p"i'o
ing, and to pedestrians on the street.
Mr.. Davis is making immediate plans
TO vacatc.
MIR. Buffers attention was first called
to the unsafe condition Of the foundd-
tions supporting the front wall last
sunday. On Tuesday he visited the
building in company with Chlci OF the
Fire Department w. fl. Joynes. ana
the two officials made carefui IN
spection of every part. finding II much
worse than they had anticipated
First-Ciass Fire Trap.
The buildings were originally planned
as IA row of separate stores ana u"tH-
ings To convert them into a hotei the
proprietor has cut many passages anu
doorwaye put in wooden PARTITION
walls. and in past years extensions IN
the rear have been erected OF wood.
metal sheated. The whole Is described
by Fire Department officials as a nfst-
class fire trap. there having been no SUI
fcient lights to mark tho exists 10 the
Are cscapCs. while the metal FIRE escapes
we're insufficiently secured to bullying
rear walls, making them apparently as
dangerous as the building itself. should
thew be crowded in time of panic or
FIRE.
MIR. Butler said that from d structural
stand point the front wall was the most
dangerous. it's foundations showing
signs of crumbling. so that much of the
weight of the building IS carried on
rotten wooden girders-
Must Protect Adjoining Property.
The notice to the proprietor instructs
him to take immediate steps TO protect
ad ioining property and 20 safeguard
pedestrians using Main street. In his
letter Mr.. Butler states that he can no
longer be responsible for the use OF
the building for any purpose. and directs
its immediate removal from the lot
The section is one that has often been
flooded i'm time of freshet. water rising
in the basement of the hotel in many
instances. and this, II is believed. has
accounted for the rapid deterioration
of some of the wooden construction.
The building also shows considerable
vibration from trains passing over the
two railway trestics on either side
The hotel has about 20 rooms. many of
which are frequently used by a number
of persons at one time II was re-
modelled into d hotel by Mr.. Davis
about tho time of the erection of Main
street Station the proprietor having
formerly operated restaurant near
the old station at Sixteenth and Broad
Streets Mr.. Butler describes the
building as being in the last stages OF
diIapidation and decay. impossible TO
rcpair No consideration. he said.
would induce him to spend d night with
in it's walls Used largely by strangers
visiting the city. who may not be
familiar with the means of egress, Mr.
Butler said that he felt fully justified
in taking sharp measures 10 nave the
building vacated at once as matter OF
public protection.