Compahc disputes liability regarding Maesa building safety

The Municipal Council of Historical and Cultural Heritage (Compahc) has issued a statement criticizing an extrajudicial notification from the Caxias do Sul City Hall. The notification, sent by the Secretariat of Planning and Strategic Partnerships (Seplan), warned council members they could face personal civil, administrative, and criminal liability regarding the risk of structural collapse at the Maesa building.

Compahc contested the attempt to shift responsibility to the council, asserting that the conservation of the Maesa and the execution of safety measures are the duties of the Executive branch. The Council noted that despite warnings of imminent collapse since 2024, people and vehicles continued to circulate within Block 1 of the structure.

Furthermore, the Council stated that the emergency intervention project for the Maesa roof was only submitted for review on August 28, 2026, leaving insufficient time for technical analysis. A new evaluation is scheduled for September 23 to address outstanding technical questions.