If the former Chantler Bakery building at the corner of South Monroe Street and Center Avenue collapses, the odds are that the structure isn't going to collapse within the narrow roped-off area around the building. Debris from a major collapse could land on South Monroe, Center or both — and also on anything or anyone on the streets at that moment.

What exists at the site is a precarious situation at best. A portion of the building's roof already has collapsed, and a portion of the wall facing South Monroe has been pushed outward, although that isn't plainly visible to people passing by the deteriorated structure.

To many passers-by, the building might appear structurally sound. But for the most part, the former Woolworth's building at South Main and East Cunningham streets in the city's central business district didn't appear to be on the verge of major failure before a portion of it collapsed on May 18, 1999, raining debris on East Cunningham and crushing a parked sport utility vehicle.

Judging from what already has occurred at Chantler, it isn't far-fetched to consider the former bakery structure more dangerous than what the Woolworth's building was, right up to the moment of collapse.

Nevertheless, a standstill continues in the effort to get the Chantler situation rectified.

Paul Snyder, city code enforcement officer, reiterated Thursday that Chantler has "gone into the legal process," and beyond that there have been no new developments.

On July 1, Snyder filed a complaint with District Judge Pete Shaffer over the failure of John L. and Mary Keffalas, the building's owners, to repair or raze the structure. Snyder said that the Keffalases face possible fines of up to $90,000.

The Keffalases still were reported to be seeking a contractor for demolition work.

"It's not the easiest building to tear down," Snyder said Thursday.

However, much-bigger, more-congested cities routinely deal with removing dilapidated buildings, and it's inconsistent with that fact that the Keffalases are having such a difficult time finding someone to take down their building.

It's clear that they haven't exhausted all of their options. That said, it seems that the contractor search hasn't been as determined as it ought to be.

Center Avenue already is challenged by the construction of the new Wayne Street Viaduct, a project that continues to move forward at a good pace. But the challenges and inconveniences necessitated by the bridge construction — a project that represents progress for the city — shouldn't be compounded by a building collapse that, if one were to occur, could have been avoided.

Snyder said Thursday that he talked with John Keffalas about the situation on Wednesday, but Snyder had no good news to report, to the effect that removal of Chantler was imminent.

Even with black mold and possible asbestos in the building, the Chantler building demolition is a doable project. There are companies that have the skill and expertise to handle a project that, when compared with much-larger demolition projects in much more congested cities, is rather small.

It is the dangers regarding the Chantler building's continuing existence that must keep the city focused on the problem site. Sorrow later about what could have been avoided will be no substitute for action now.

Removal of the Chantler building isn't a can't-do project. It is a must-do project — the sooner the better.

The city and the Keffalases already have spent too much time accomplishing nothing.