The discovery of windows below an unsupported section of sidewalk put a stop to the city’s sidewalk replacement project on North Main Street, just as it was nearing completion.

The windows were discovered when crews began demolishing the section of sidewalk in front of The Attic. The building, owned by Fayette attorney Frank Robert Flaspohler, was mostly rehabilitated in recent years. It has a basement and a sub-basement, both of which are unused in the building’s current capacity. But four west-facing windows below the current sidewalk were an interesting discovery.

Even more surprising was that about two feet of the current sidewalk that abuts the building is completely unsupported, with only an empty cavity below.

That is causing engineers to have to rethink and redesign the final stretch of sidewalk in front of the building.

Because the project is funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant through the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the project could be delayed for some time.

The gap that was cut exposing the windows remains covered and is safe to walk over.

The scope of the work aimed to replace the sidewalks and curbs along both sides of North Main Street between Davis and Elm streets, along with storm sewers. Digging also revealed old brick-lined storm sewers. Original street bricks remained under the modern asphalt pavement.

The building, located on the corner of North Main and East Davis, was built in 1902. The first floor was designed for commercial space inhabited by Taylor Furniture, with the upper floor serving as meeting rooms for both the Knights of Pythias and Faytte’s Odd Fellow’s Lodge.

The basement at one time housed a funeral home and casket shop, with a larger cargo entrance on the south side of the building.

For many years, the first floor of the building housed Mattingly’s store.

The building was vacant for several years. It underwent extensive work when Flaspohler acquired the building, including tuck pointing and interior renovation. Apartments have been framed out in the upper floors, with at least two finished and occupied.

Flaspohler did not immediately respond to the Advertiser’s request for more information.