Posted at: 02/09/2010 2:40 PM

Keokuk Man says Huge Arches Should be Saved

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) - A move is under way to save huge brick arches found under the rubble of a three-story building that collapsed in downtown Keokuk last summer.

Chuck Mitchell of the Keokuk Historic Preservation Commission believes the arches are part of the city's historic sewer system and should be preserved.

The vacant building collapsed without warning last August. No one was injured. The city is in the midst of removing the debris. The arches were discovered last Friday below the basement of the building.

Mitchell has asked the city to stop the clean up to identify the arches and determine if they're worth saving.

Mayor Tom Marion has asked the city's public works director to check the site. The demolition crew suspended operations pending a decision.