When a retaining wall near a Publix in Forsyth County crumbled on April 5, many thought it was due to the severe storms affecting much of metro Atlanta that day.
But, according to records obtained by Channel 2 Action News, engineers knew the wall was unstable two weeks before it crumbled. Records also show the wall went without an inspection for more than a decade.
The wall, located at the intersection of McGinnis Ferry Road and Windward Parkway, was constructed in 2004. About two years later, the records show, one engineer expressed concerns.
On July 21, 2006, an engineer wrote that he noticed a “relatively minor bulge” in the wall that “may be the result of movement since construction.” The engineer recommended monitoring of the wall, but records obtained by Channel 2 Action News show there was no follow-up inspection until March 22, 2017.
During that inspection, an engineer noted: “We believe this wall experienced excessive lateral movement and is unstable.”
After the wall crumbled during a storm on April 5, the same engineer noted: “It appears that the façade was not attached or constructed according to the plans. (We observed) no steel beams or steel ties (as detailed) in the original design.”
Channel 2 Action News reports the company that built the wall is no longer in business.
Check out Mike Petchenik’s full report here:
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