Analyzing collapse could take weeks

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It may be weeks before the cause of the Centergy parking deck collapse at Spring and Fifth streets is determined, the company that operates the garage said Friday.

Harry Conley, president and CEO of Fifth Street Management Company, said the company is awaiting theories on what happened from investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

"We haven't been given that information," he said. " We still don't know what happened."

The remaining cars were removed from the deck Thursday night. A total of about 700 cars had been removed, Conley said. In all, 45 were determined damaged and unusable, with another indeterminable number of cars in need of "cosmetic repairs."

"In regard to those who have been affected and lost cars, we have been in contact with them and the property insurance company," Conley said. "All of those issues have to be worked out. In the meantime, they have been instructed to contact their insurance companies to make arrangements for other modes of transportation and then come back and talk to us."

A few of the damaged cars have not been claimed, he added.

The Atlanta Fire Department, which had control of the property following the collapse Monday afternoon, has turned the lot back over to Conley's company.

"The last thing the chief said before leaving last night was, 'We will be getting together about the bill,' " Conley said. "We are immensely grateful for the work they have done these few days. They called in resources from all over the state. The operation they ran here has been phenomenal." However, the garage will not reopen until repairs are complete.

The existing structure is in relatively stable shape, said Conley. The company anticipates it may take three to six months before repairs are completed, but the work isn't expected to begin until OSHA has completed its investigation. In the meantime, Fifth Street Management is setting up parking for its tenants.

"No repairs will begin until the cause of the collapse is determined," Conley said. "There will be some preliminary meetings in the next few weeks and a new design plan put into place."