Rubaiyat Lounge

On July 5, 1974, fire gutted the Rubaiyat Lounge at 1814 Broadway.  The tavern was open at the time of the fire.  At least one patron stayed at the bar fireman began to fight the fire.  Buildings on both sides were damaged by smoke and water.

 

The building was not immediately cleared.  On November 11, 1974, a portion of the building collapsed on a pedestrian.  This resulted in the city being sued for not requiring the site to be cleared.

 

By 1977, the city was trying to condemn the building to the east of the Rubaiyat.  There was a fear that the common wall between the buildings would collapse if the Rubaiyat was cleared.  The owner of the adjacent building refused to sign a “hold harmless agreement” that would relieve the city from any liability if the common wall failed when they removed the debris.  It wasn’t until December of 1978, that the city and the adjoining land owners came to agreement on the party walls, and the site was finally cleared.

 

This is an empty lot today.  The building to the east, known at that time as the Bennett Building, has also been torn down.  The Railway Express Building can be seen through the gap.