The offices of Digit-Eyes: The Chicago Blind Computer user Network and the
Blind Services Association of Chicago are in the majestic Building
described in the article.  For additional information contact Blind
Service at 312/236-0808.

kelly

from the Chicago sun-Times

Terra-cotta fall closes Monroe

   November 2, 1998

   BY CARLOS SADOVI STAFF REPORTER

   A portion of Monroe Street between Dearborn and State will remain
   closed until workers repair a portion of the landmark building that
   houses the Shubert Theatre after a 15-foot portion of terra-cotta fell
   20 stories.

   The city hopes to open at least the south side of the street to
   traffic and pedestrians by 8 a.m. this morning, said Building
   Commissioner Mary Richardson-Lowry.

   The 89-year-old Majestic Building houses offices and the Shubert
   Theatre, which finished running the play ``Barrymore'' on Sunday and
   is not scheduled to have another show until Nov. 24.

   Theatergoers were inside the building when pieces of terra-cotta fell
   Saturday evening from a rooftop generator house, said Mark Meany, the
   building's chief engineer.

   Pieces landed as far as 30 feet from the building, Meany said. People
   reported several cars being damaged but no injuries, police said.

   Meany said his inspection of the generator house in September
   indicated damage to the terra-cotta facade of the one-story brick
   rooftop structure.

   Water had seeped behind the facade and apparently rusted out the pins
   holding the terra-cotta stone onto the penthouse that holds the
   generators for the building's elevators, he said.

   Officials were awaiting a permit from the city's Department of
   Transportation to erect a temporary sidewalk scaffold before beginning
   the repair work, Meany said.

   ``We were hoping to begin work last week,'' Meany said. ``I guess the
   terra-cotta just couldn't hold on.''

   Officials from the Chicago Department of Transportation could not
   confirm the status of the permit Sunday.

   An inspection last month indicated the rest of the terra-cotta on the
   ornate building to be in good shape.

   A portion of Wacker Drive remains blocked in front of 75 East Wacker
   after concerns surfaced of loosening terra-cotta at that building. The
   Majestic Building as well as other landmark structures, including the
   Carson Pirie Scott store and the Civic Opera building, have dropped
   terra-cotta in recent years, according to the city Building
   Department.

   Police taped off the block in front of the Majestic as workers hired
   by building officials erected a scaffold passageway surrounding the
   building.

   Allen Verrant, a Shubert Theatre usher, received a call from the
   theater's manager telling him Sunday's show would go on. Although the
   Chicago resident, who was dressed in bow tie, black vest and slacks,
   wasn't working Saturday, he was a bit sorry he missed out on the
   excitement.

   ``I missed the whole thing,'' Verrant said. ``Nothing ever happens
   when I'm working.''




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