The Weight of Water Collapsed a Roof Here

The weight of water on the roof contributed to the collapse of the building that used to occupy this lot.

The vacant grassy lot at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and National Avenue until recently contained an aged building much like its neighbor next door. Water from heavy snow and rain failed to drain off its flat roof, however, causing structural damage to the roof that led to collapse under the weight of all that water. The building was condemned and destroyed. Today the site whispers a cautionary tale: We ignore the inexorable power of water at our collective peril.