Hultgren Construction issues first statement since collapse

The construction company that was working in a downtown Sioux Falls building Dec. 2 when it collapsed is asking the community to “keep an open mind” until the cause of the tragedy is determined.

Hultgren Construction posted photos on social media days before the former Copper Lounge building collapsed showing a worker removing bricks from a load-bearing wall. The city had not issued a permit for structural work.

The collapse killed construction worker Ethan McMahon, 24, who was working in the building at the time alongside his brother, who escaped. A funeral service was held Friday.

Complete coverage: Downtown building collapse

In the company’s first comments since the collapse, Aaron Hultgren of Hultgren Construction wrote in a letter Friday that the company is cooperating with investigators and asked for patience from the public.

“Hultgren Construction will accept responsibility if it is determined we are responsible,” Hultgren wrote. ”However, until the issue of responsibility is determined, we are respectfully requesting that the members of this community keep an open mind.”

Read the company’s full statement below:

TO OUR COMMUNITY

Our friend and team member, Ethan McMahon was laid to rest today. Neither the McMahon family, nor the Hultgren Construction team, will ever completely recover from this tragedy.

We, of course, also convey our sincere condolences to Emily Fodness, the Fodness family, business and property owners, and the entire downtown community, all of whom have
suffered as a result of the building collapse.

Since the very moment of the collapse, Hultgren Construction has been fully cooperating with multiple investigations that are ongoing, investigations intending to both avoid further harm, and to determine why the building collapse occurred.

We urge members of the public, as well as local media, to be patient. More work needs to be done, before any conclusions are reached, as to what caused the building collapse. Hultgren Construction is not in a position to both correct or rebut local media, and, at the same time, cooperate with authorities. We are prioritizing our efforts by fully cooperating with the authorities.

Hultgren Construction will accept responsibility if it is determined we are responsible. However, until the issue of responsibility is determined, we are respectfully requesting that the members of this community keep an open mind. We are not a victim, but we live in this community with our families. Our children go to school here. Despite local media accounts, please reserve judgment while the experts complete their work.