What was supposed to be a routine parade night along St. Charles Avenue turned tense on Thursday when a visibly sagging building at the corner of St. Charles and Julia Street prompted police to clear paradegoers from their usual spots. Families who typically camp out along that Uptown stretch watched as city crews later blocked off the sidewalk and moved in to brace the structure while officials took a hard look at the cracked facade.
According to city officials, the Department of Safety and Permits, Economic Development and the Department of Public Works moved quickly to lock down the corner. Shoring was installed inside the structure, signage and construction barricades went up to close the sidewalk, and a construction company was called in to help stabilize the…..