When floodwaters swept through the City of Globe on the evening of September 26, 2025, they carried more than just debris and mud; they brought new challenges and hard decisions. Among the hardest hit was the historic “Silver King Building” at 493 North Broad Street, a well-known landmark in the city’s historic downtown district.
Already weakened by a partial collapse during a severe windstorm in April 2024, the Silver King’s structural integrity had been compromised. The flooding event pushed it past its limits. Rushing water, propelled debris, and heavy impacts caused a structurally devastating wall collapse.
By the time the storm cleared, the Silver King stood as an imminent danger to the community. Water had eroded its foundation, the roof had buckled, and the shared wall between it and a neighboring business hung on by only a few inches of masonry.
City officials acted swiftly to protect public safety. The damage was classified as a Category A threat removal. An immediate hazard requiring emergency action to safeguard lives and property. A collapse posed a direct danger to the adjacent business and to anyone traveling along North Broad Street.
“We knew this structure wasn’t something we could wait on,” said Paul Jepson, City of Globe City Manager. “It became a race against time to secure the area, protect nearby buildings, and remove the threat before anyone got hurt.”
Before the flood, the City of Globe had been waiting for funding through a Brownfields Grant to carefully and safely remove the deteriorating structure. The Silver King was known to contain environmental hazards, and demolition was planned to proceed under controlled, environmentally responsible, conditions. But the flood changed everything. Waiting was no longer an option.
The City of Globe moved quickly to stabilize the scene and coordinate with environmental and emergency response partners. Because of the building’s age and prior use, the debris contained hazardous materials that required specialized handling. Under the oversight of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), special hauling and containment procedures were arranged. Crews worked carefully, sealing debris in protective bags and loading them onto specialized trucks for safe transport to a hazardous waste facility in Apache Junction, Arizona. All operations were completed under emergency approval from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA).
The process was painstaking and costly, but the City prioritized public safety above all else. “Life and Safety are a top priority at this time,” Jepson added. “We wanted to make sure this was handled the right way, eliminate the threat: from environmental cleanup to final demolition.”
Today, the site has been fully mitigated, the debris safely removed, and the danger eliminated. What remains is a cleared, stable lot; a far cry from the hazardous ruin left behind after the storm. The neighboring business has been fully secured, and the community can once again walk through the area without fear.
The Silver King Building’s loss marks the end of a chapter in the City of Globe’s long history, but also the beginning of a new one. One that speaks to the city’s resilience and commitment to protecting its people.
Through teamwork, swift action, and careful oversight, the City of Globe transformed a dangerous situation into a story of public safety, environmental stewardship, and community strength. A strong reminder that even in the face of destruction, Globe’s spirit stands strong.