The City Hall archway pillar struck by a runaway pickup truck last week sustained structural damage and must be replaced, according to a city official.
Though compromised, the column presents no immediate danger, stressed Wayne Wirick of the Sonoma Building Department. “There is no imminent threat or hazard.”
The pillar, part of the structure’s original 1906 construction, is one of two in the building’s entry archway. It was struck last Monday by a pickup truck whose driver lost control while pulling into a parking spot. The driver was uninjured, but the crash demolished the truck’s front end and sent an earthquake-like jolt throughout the building.
After the collision, it appeared the solid pillar was only superficially damaged. A closer inspection by engineers revealed fractures within its structure. “It has lost some capacity to bear the load,” Wirick said.
There is also concern that the archway itself was damaged. That can only be diagnosed after the stone column is removed, he said. “We’ve got some investigative work to do.”
The reconstruction should begin in about a month. The archway will be shored up by braces, with entry to City Hall re-routed to avoid the construction area. “Until then, we’ll leave it as it is,” Wirick said.
The entire column will be removed and the archway examined. To replace the rock and stone when rebuilding, the city will source materials as close as possible to the 1906 originals. “It has to be appropriate,” said Wirick. “We may have to quarry the stone.”
No target date has been set for the project’s completion. “There are too many variables,” he said. “We’ll move as quickly as we can.”
