What happens when an office tower is abandoned

Nobody seems to want the Alliance Bank Center in St. Paul, raising questions about how the city is going to keep the tower safe.

Why it matters: With rising office vacancies and plummeting property values in downtown St. Paul, the abandoned tower highlights a problem that could be the first of more to come.

State of play: The city has condemned the 16-story Alliance Bank Center and taken over basic property management from distressed landlord Madison Equities. It`s keeping the water on for fire suppression and maintaining some skyway access to other buildings, and it says it`s also continuing to patrol the property.

Threat level: A complex this large and with this many access points presents a long-term safety risk.

• City inspectors discovered feces, urine and garbage during an April 3 inspection, which was detailed in a notice to condemn the property. There was also evidence of break-ins and broken doors and windows....

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RSK: Probably won`t happen in our market. That building is out of date. Soeone will buy it for location and dirt if nothing else, although demo will not be a small amount...