Despite efforts to salvage partially collapsed church building, its set to be torn down

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Nearly three weeks after the collapse of the Rio De Agua Viva Church, heavy construction surrounds the scene. We last heard the city and structural engineers were working together trying to salvage whats left of the building. Turns out that wasnt in the cards, and the church will be torn down.

Its sad. This building, for a lot of people, its very emotional, saidHerminio Leal, who has been the pastor of the Rio De Agua Viva for the last 14 years.

Leal saidhe received notice at the beginning of this week that his church is going to be razed.

We expected that, Leal said.

The 80-year-old church collapsed about three weeks ago with children inside due to extensive water damage. The building contractor says the building is beyond repair.

There was enough damage to the building and it was not sustainable to be able to repair it, saidChristopher Perez, with CATCO Restoration Company.

Structural engineers inspected the building for the past few weeks, and the churchs insurance company ultimately decided to tear it down. Workers are nowwaiting on a permit from the city.

As soon as we get it and given the green light, well get things kind of picked up. We have to do a number of things right now, but until we can actually bring it to the ground, we need the last final piece of the puzzle from the city, added Perez.

Crews spent the day staging equipment to get everything ready to knock the church down.

Right now were doing some hand demolitions, taking some stuff down on the north wall that we have to take down by hand because its so close to the other building, Perez said.By the end of the week, theres not going to be much left.

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Despite efforts to salvage partially collapsed church building, its set to be torn down