High-rise billboard tilts precariously over homes

FARMINGTON — A high-rise double billboard near the intersection of U.S. 67 and State Highway 32 in Farmington was safely brought down over the weekend by workers after its support base was damaged by the force of high winds that pushed through the area on Thursday.

By Friday, the sign — owned by Fairway (previously Olympus Media) — remained tilted at a precarious angle, but was being stabilized by a large construction crane owned by Budrovich Excavating and Contracting of St. Louis. Workers were subsequently able to bring down the billboard over the weekend without causing damage to nearby residences.

Winds that gusted as high as 50 – 60 mph late last week are being blamed for the damage to the billboard’s base.

Rising hundreds of feet in the air, the damaged sign served as a breathtaking sight for motorists driving along Highway 67 and drew the concern of the city, as well as residents of homes along a portion of San Jewell Street.

Dale Talley said he noticed the sign’s notable tilt when he returned from work Thursday evening.

“I’m not sure when it happened, but it was sometime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” he said. “We could see it rocking back and forth. My wife and I were pretty worried about it and even thought about leaving the house and staying somewhere else. We contacted our landlord and the city about it.”

Talley said the family was contacted at 4 a.m. Friday morning and assured the situation was being dealt with.

Once the billboard was stabilized by the crane on Friday, residents experienced some sense of relief that there was no immediate danger that the sign would collapse onto their homes.

Budrovich workers were on the scene again early Saturday morning, working diligently to make sure the double billboard was brought down safely.

Attempts to contact Fairway on Saturday were unsuccessful.

Kevin Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com