KC inspector puts Family Dollar on dangerous buildings list after fatal collapse

A building in Kansas City that partially crumpled over the weekend, causing the death of one man, is at risk of even further collapse, according to a new inspection.

Officially labeled dangerous by the city, the Family Dollar building in the 3700 block of Broadway Boulevard continues to pose a risk to the public after the northeast corner collapsed on Sunday and left the building’s structural support elements more exposed to failure — including the roof, the inspection says.

“The roof is weakened to such an extent that it could compromise the load bearing capability of the entire roof support system,” a post-collapse inspection of the building says. “The additional pressure from rain, wind and snow is likely to cause the remaining parts of the roof to partially or completely collapse.”

The collapse, which also sent one woman to the hospital in serious condition, remains under investigation by the police department.

Buildings labeled dangerous in Kansas City pose the greatest risk to the surrounding area and represent the most serious type of code violations, according to the city website. That includes severe deterioration or damage that endangers the public.

The city pushes owners to bring dangerous buildings back into compliance, and it can pursue demolition if the owner does not take steps to fix the issues.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries that occurred,” Lanè Johnson, a Kansas City spokesperson said in a written statement Tuesday. “This is not something the City takes lightly. We are actively investigating this incident and working closely with multiple departments—including Public Works, Neighborhood Services, City Planning and Development, and the Kansas City Fire Department.

In its statement, the city said the building owners are responsible for a building’s safety.

“We are still trying to understand why the property owners did not apply for a permit with City Planning and Development to repair the building after it was struck by a car in 2016,” the statement read. “Ultimately, the responsibility for the structural integrity and safety of a building lies with its property owner and manager.”

According to media reports at the time, a car crashed into the building in October 2016 after the driver lost control of the vehicle, hitting a pillar.

A photo of the scene showed the vehicle up against the store’s entrance. A pillar that was visible in the corner of the building was missing, apparently knocked down in the crash.

Later photos of the building show that the pillar was not replaced. A Star review of city permit records did not turn up any construction permits or plans related to the pillar following the crash.

The northeast corner of the building collapsed around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday. Larry Banks, who lived in the apartment building next door, died in the collapse.

The Star’s Noelle Alviz-Gransee contributed reporting.

This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM.