Hardin pledges cooperation in deck probe

One day after a Midtown parking deck partially collapsed, the contractor that oversaw the 2002 project at Spring Street and Abercrombie Place is working with officials to determine the cause.

Hardin Construction Co., which also oversaw the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Canopy Walk project that collapsed during construction in December 2008, released this statement from President Bill Pinto Tuesday:

“Although Hardin’s last direct involvement with the Centergy project was in 2002, senior Hardin staff members were on site immediately, joining others in trying to understand what happened. We will continue to make ourselves available to investigators and offer our full cooperation and assistance.

“A cause of the collapse has not been identified, and we will not speculate as to the cause.

“Hardin Construction Company expresses its appreciation for the job emergency crews have done in responding to the incident, and is pleased with reports that there have been no injuries or loss of life.”

OSHA investigators are on the scene at Centergy Parking to ensure the safety of emergency crews, according to Michael Wald, regional director of public affairs for the agency.

OSHA has not opened a formal investigation into the collapse as the agency oversees incidents involving workers. Wald said it’s unclear who will lead the investigation and that it may be up to the City of Atlanta. A spokeswoman for the city said that had not yet been determined.