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Nov 27, 2023

Rescue crews leave site of Davenport building collapse; Agency leader says rumors about homeless not true

A worker moves a traffic cone, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Davenport. Traffic

A worker moves a traffic cone, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Davenport. Traffic slowly opened after the cones were gone.

Police and workers pack up traffic cones, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Davenport. Traffic has been stopped on the intersection of Harrison St. and 4th St. since The Davenport partially collapsed on Sunday.

Traffic cones sit on the side of Harrison St., Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Davenport. The street opened back up to its usual three lanes.

It was quieter on the scene of 324 Main St. on Tuesday, nine days after the six-story building partially collapsed.

Trucks, vehicles, tents and people in hard hats from the Iowa Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue that had set up on 3rd Street were gone, having demobilized Monday evening, according to the city of Davenport.

Harrison Street, the south-bound one-way that's been mostly closed since May 28 for emergency response vehicles and personnel, reopened Tuesday midday.

The remains of three men were found over the weekend in the downtown Davenport apartment building. On Monday evening the urban search and rescue team "determined that the building is clear of collapse victims" and demobilized. The city said that collapsed building material from the foundation of 324 had been removed.

Pictures of the site taken Monday evening and Tuesday show gaping holes at the site of the foundation, clear of rubble that is off to the side. Machinery labeled as property of demolition company D.W. Zinser picked up beams and other debris and placed them in what appeared to be a large dumpster.

"Crews have cleared the debris pile to the foundation floor and will continue removing debris from the site today," Davenport Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Ott wrote in an email update Tuesday.

Rumors circled on social media that people who were homeless stayed in the basement or ground floor of The Davenport.

But Ashley Valez, executive director of Humility Homes and Services, said in the past 15 years, The Davenport building had never been a place her street outreach team had gone to contact people living on the street.

Sometimes, she said, people would wait outside for the nearby library, where a social worker is available, or St. Anthony's, which served meals, to open.

"To my knowledge, that information is false," Valez said of the rumors.

At the time of the collapse, 12 units at The Davenport were being rented by individual or family clients of Humility Homes and Services, Valez said. Leases were in the tenants' names, Valez said.

She called the city's use of the description of the building having a "history of transient population" in a news release "incorrect" as the clients Humility Homes served were tenants of the building.

"These were individuals who were formerly homeless and were tenants who were receiving rental assistance," Valez said.

Alderman Marion Meginnis and Police Chief Jeff Bladel reached Humility Homes the day of the collapse, Valez said, because they knew some clients of Humility Homes rented there, and she provided them with the list of the names of renters of the 12 units.

Valez said Humility Homes then paid for their clients to stay in hotel rooms for the week to provide a "safe and quiet place."

Humility Homes and Services was one agency among several at a Multi-Agency Resource Center on Saturday at the downtown YMCA branch.

In front of City Hall on Tuesday, new clothes, hygiene products, food items and water were being handed out at the corner of 4th and Harrison, Mike Collier said in a livestream to Facebook. He opened several cardboard boxes with new T-shirts, jeans, underwear, hygiene products and more that he said would be handed out for free.

Desiree Banks, the mother of Branden Colvin Jr., said people and groups had dropped off food, water and personal items all week.

"We don't know these people," Banks said. "It really is amazing, and we appreciate it for real. This is our community. Everyone has been here for us."

A Salvation Army representative said the agency had been serving more than 200 meals per day to emergency responders from Thursday through Monday.

Kelle Larned, director of operations and programming with the Salvation Army, said its organization was offering vouchers for clothing and furniture at its Brady Street store, and provided residents with a list of landlords who had contacted the Salvation Army offering to help place individuals displaced because of the collapse.

The agency encourages people who need assistance to call 563-324-4808.

She estimated the Salvation Army handed out about 50 packets to residents of the building on Saturday and said residents can continue to contact the Salvation Army for help. She said the agency also was offering to pay for the first month of rent at a new place for tenants.

But moving forward, Larned said, a challenge will be making sure tenants are connected with a place where they can afford what new landlords are asking.

"This puts us back even further in the housing crisis," Larned said.

Branden Colvin Jr., center, lights candles for his father, Branden Colvin Sr. with Devina Henderson, left, and Malia Rush, right, during a candlelight vigil for Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien on Sunday night at the site of The Davenport collapse in Davenport. The building partially collapsed last week.

A man kneels and holds a cross after tying it to the fencing surrounding the site of The Davenport apartment building collapse, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport.

Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue, talk outside The Davenport, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. Three men died from the collapse.

A woman reacts during a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue, talk outside The Davenport, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport, one week after the building partially collapsed, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

A sign reading "official notice do not enter" is posted on the door to The Spot Bar & Lounge, located near the scene of an apartment building that partially collapsed last week, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

A sign reading "official notice do not enter" is posted on the door to Me & Billy, located near the scene of an apartment building that partially collapsed last week, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. )ne fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

A look at The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. Heavy equipment has started going through the rubble and the rest of the building, as the search continues for two men still unaccounted for.

A sign reading "official notice do not enter" hangs on a fence on Sunday, June 4, 2023, around the scene of an apartment building that partially collapsed last week in Davenport.

A Davenport Police crime scene unit SUV arrives at the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport.

Signs with the pictures of the three missing men from The Davenport building collapse hang on the fence line around the collapse site, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport.

A Davenport Police officer walks through the site of the partial building collapse of The Davenport, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport.

A look at The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport.

The reflection of The Davenport is seen in the front windows of Davenport City Hall on Sunday, June 4, 2023, after the 80-unit building partially collapsed last week in Davenport.

A look at front of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. The orange boxes hold equipment being used by search teams on site, which include Iowa Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023 one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. Support teams from both Iowa and Illinois have come to Davenport for the effort.

Tokens and flowers sit on the road against the fence surrounding the partial building collapse at The Davenport, 324 Main St., Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Signs and pictures of the three missing men from The Davenport building collapse hang on the fence line around the collapse site, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport.

A look at The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

A Davenport Police crime scene unit SUV arrives at the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, after the 80-unit apartment building partially collapsed last week in Davenport. Branden Colvin Sr.'s body was found Saturday, his family said. Two men are still missing.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

A look at The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

A sign reading "corruption kills!" hangs on a fence around Davenport City Hall on Sunday, June 4, 2023, a week after an apartment building partially collapsed in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, June 4, 2023, one week after the building partially collapsed in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport on Sunday, one week after the building partially collapsed, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted for after the rear section of the 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport, one week after the building partially collapsed, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue, stand on Fourth Street while conducting search and rescue operations inside The Davenport, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

A man kneels and holds a cross after tying it to the fencing surrounding the site of The Davenport apartment building collapse, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The six-story, 80-unit building partially collapsed last Sunday.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport, one week after the building partially collapsed, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

Malia Rush holds a candle during a vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, at the site of The Davenport collapse, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The building partially collapsed last week.

Devina Henderson places candles on Fourth Street in the initials of Branden Colvin Sr. during a candlelight vigil for Colvin, Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

Branden Colvin Jr. lights a candle during a vigil for his father, Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, at the site of The Davenport collapse, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport.

Malia Rush lights candles in the shape of BC for Branden Colvin Sr. during a candlelight vigil for Colvin, Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, at the site of The Davenport collapse, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The building partially collapsed last week.

Kelsey Wethington and her daughter Amelia, 6, hold candles during a vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien on Sunday night at the site of The Davenport collapse in Davenport. The building partially collapsed last week.

Emergency crews work the scene of The Davenport, one week after the building partially collapsed, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Iowa Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue, talk outside The Davenport, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. One fatality from the collapse has been reported from the building, The Davenport, and two others remain unaccounted.

Community members gather for a candlelight vigil for Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien, outside of Davenport City Hall, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Davenport. The three men were presumed missing in the debris of The Davenport apartment building after it partially collapsed last Sunday. Colvin's body was recovered on June 3rd.

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Bettendorf, East Moline, and Silvis Reporter

Sarah is the Davenport, Scott County, and Iowa politics reporter for the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus. A DeWitt native, she graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 and was editor of the student-run newspaper The Daily Iowan.

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