Woodruff Park closed as engineers check downtown Atlanta tower

The earliest that Woodruff Park and the surrounding streets will reopen is noon Thursday. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

The earliest that Woodruff Park and the surrounding streets will reopen is noon Thursday. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta remains closed as police say more panels could fall from a downtown Atlanta tower into the nearby area.

“The safety zone around 34 Peachtree Street has been modified,” police spokeswoman Stephanie Brown told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday morning. “The façade is still deemed to be compromised with the risk of additional panels falling onto the area immediately around the building.”

Engineers are checking the building, Brown said.

Debris fell Tuesday for a third straight day from the 32-story building, police said. At least one metal tile fell Sunday and about five additional pieces of debris fell Monday. Police did not say how much debris fell Tuesday, but said high winds were to blame.

Also, Georgia State University police and ambassadors will help guide students around the area while the closure is in effect, Brown said.

The earliest that the streets and park will reopen is noon Thursday.

Debris fell Tuesday for a third straight day from the 32-story building. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

icon to expand image

However, some roads in the area have reopened.

Park Place, Marietta Street NW and Decatur Street NE are open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, police said. Also, the Atlanta Streetcar has resumed normal operations.

According to police, current street closures are Peachtree Street NE from Auburn Avenue NE to Marietta Street NW; Walton Street NW from Broad Street NW to Peachtree Street NE; and Edgewood Avenue SE from Park Place NE to Marietta Street NW.

“The closures could be extended,” Brown said, “depending on the findings of the engineers.”

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.

In other news: