GILBERT, AZ — Several businesses were impacted after Gilbert Fire & Rescue ordered a full evacuation of a building near Gilbert and Guadalupe roads earlier this month. Fire crews said it followed months of fire code concerns and a structural assessment that identified significant safety risks.
On June 16, officials announced the evacuation order had been lifted.
Gilbert Fire says shortly after the building was deemed unsafe, a qualified contractor was hired to make the necessary enforcement.
After a final site inspection, Starling Engineering provided written approval confirming that the building is stable under the newly installed supports.
Gilbert Fire and Rescue removed the safety fencing and authorized tenants to resume occupancy.
“Our first priority is always the safety of the people in our community, and we appreciate the patience of the impacted tenants and businesses throughout this process,” said Gilbert Fire Chief Rob Duggan. “With the stabilization work now complete and engineering professionals confirming the structure is stable under the newly installed shoring, we have authorized tenants to return. We will continue coordinating with the property owner as they move into the next phase of repairs.”
Gilbert Fire & Rescue told ABC15 previously that concerns about the property date back to December 2025, when inspectors first identified fire code violations requiring corrections.
Over the next several months, officials say they conducted multiple follow-up inspections while working with the property owner to address those concerns. According to the fire department, most of those violations remained unaddressed.
Fire crews said after multiple inspections and repeated efforts to work with the owner to resolve those concerns, they were preparing to issue citations.
However, before those citations were finalized, Gilbert Fire and Rescue said the Town received an independent architectural assessment in late May that identified significant structural issues, including a leaning east wall and conditions posing significant safety risks.
Gilbert Fire & Rescue Chief Rob Duggan said the assessment confirmed what officials had feared.
"We read it, and it confirmed what we were concerned about, which was that there were structural instabilities with the property,” Chief Duggan said.
Following an additional inspection, officials said they determined the property posed an immediate safety risk and ordered tenants to evacuate.
"We ultimately made the decision this was an imminent threat to the public, and that's when we took the action, we did to evacuate the building," Duggan said.
The closure impacted several businesses, leaving owners and employees searching for answers.
Jodi Hall, owner of Salon Styles, is among those affected.
"It's been a little overwhelming and you know, I'm not sure what we're going to do. We're gonna have to find a new space and we're having to do that now," Hall said.
ABC15 talked to the property owner by phone. He said they are “settling the matter and the place will be open pretty soon.”
Gilbert Fire & Rescue says the next step was to receive a structural engineering report from the property owner.
"At this point, it's really on the building owner to provide us that document and that document will set the table for whatever steps are next," Duggan said.
