May 2022

Charges filed for Lakewood Marine Towers West parking lot collapse

by Deena S. Hawkins on May 18, 2022

CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office announced charges for last year’s parking lot collapse at Marine Towers West in Lakewood.

In November 2021, a month before the collapse, Marine Towers contracted with Atlas Masonry Restoration and Maintenance to perform concrete repairs on the property.

On December 22, 2021, the project foreman and another worker removed two support pillars on the lower level of the parking garage. Only the reinforcing bars remained to support the structure.

That evening, a tenant took photos of the exposed rebar after spotting it while taking out the trash. The tenant said he was in the garage hauling trash into the dumpster when he noticed the concrete collars forming the exterior of two support columns appeared to have been cut. The support columns were on the lower level of the garage and located on the left side, precisely in the area that collapsed, he said.

Courtesy of Stephen Myers

The previous month, the tenant said he noticed that the concrete at the bottom of the pillars had started to deteriorate and large cracks had started to form. The construction crew, which the city said was working without a permit, worked at the parking lot, which was built in 1963, in the two weeks before the collapse.

Tenant: Missing concrete, exposed rebar structure found night before parking deck collapse

On December 23, the garage collapsed. Residents of Marine Towers West, which is the adjacent building next to the collapsed garage, have been asked to vacate their residences while authorities investigate the collapse.

Emergency crews at the scene of the parking garage collapse on Edgewater Drive in Lakewood

“It is a miracle that the recklessness displayed, not only by Atlas Masonry but also by the owner and foreman in charge, did not result in serious injury or death,” said prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. . “Their poor decisions put hundreds of lives at risk, and they must be held accountable.”

According to the prosecutor’s office, “An investigation by the LPD (Lakewood Police Department) revealed that there were no plans to brace or shore up the pillars during the repair work. In addition, no planning permission was given. ‘was obtained through the town of Lakewood by Atlas Masonry for the job.’

Charges have been laid against the company, its owner and the foreman involved. All three were each charged with one count of inciting panic, all third-degree felonies. Last month, the company was found guilty of a county for failing to obtain a permit for work carried out in the garage, authorities said.

“On the day of the collapse, I pledged that the town of Lakewood will not rest until we find out what happened,” said Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George. . “Our thorough investigation revealed that the collapse was no accident. In fact, it was caused by the outrageous conduct of Atlas Construction and its executives, who had no regard for the safety of Marine residents. Towers West. Once the facts involved became clear, I requested that the county attorney re-examine the case to determine if felony charges could be pursued. On behalf of the Town of Lakewood, I would like to thank the Attorney O’Malley and his team for their work, and we look forward to its resolution in the justice system.

Both the business owner and the foreman will be arraigned at a later date.

RELATED: Tenant: Missing concrete, exposed rebar structure found night before parking deck collapse

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Parking spaces

TA opens new travel center with 103 truck parking spaces in Texas

by Deena S. Hawkins on May 6, 2022

TravelCenters of America Inc., national operator of the TA Travel Center Network, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express, has opened a new TA Express Travel Center in Fairfield, Texas located off Interstate 45, Exit 198.

WESTLAKE, Ohio – TravelCenters of America Inc., national operator of the TA Travel Center Network, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express, has opened a new TA Express Travel Center in Fairfield, Texas located at Interstate 45, Exit 198 .

The new TA Express is a franchise location and expands TA’s total national travel center network to 276 locations, including 45 franchise locations.

TA Express Fairfield offers refueling services, convenience items, dining options and other services for professional drivers and motorists, according to a press release.

“The new 17,000 square foot facility sits on a 19 acre property and provides a convenient stopover for those traveling between Dallas and Houston,” the press release reads.

Amenities include:

Quick-service restaurants, including Whataburger, Original Fried Pie Shop, and The Deli, with hot and cold options available
Shop with coffee, drinks, snacks and merchandise
103 truck parking spaces
74 parking spaces
Eight diesel fueling stations with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) on all lanes
20 fueling stations
Nine showers
Driver lounge
laundry room

“As we continue to expand our footprint across the country, we are strategically opening travel centers in locations where our services are needed by both professional drivers and motorists,” said Jon Pertchik, managing director of TravelCenters of America.

“In partnership with our franchisee, we are proud to join the Fairfield community and look forward to serving travelers and residents along Interstate 45.

The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content not only for TheTrucker.com, but also for The Trucker Newspaper, which has served the trucking industry for over 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News team aims to provide relevant and objective content regarding the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News team is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Parking spaces

‘The Marquis’ secures agreement to bring 280 apartments and 305 parking spaces to Easton | Lehigh Valley Regional News

by Deena S. Hawkins on May 5, 2022

EASTON, Pa. — The Easton Planning Commission gave approval on Wednesday to the development plan for “The Marquis,” a planned seven-story mixed-use building at 27 S. Third St.

The structure will replace the current Pine Street Garage and occupy the block between Pine and Ferry Streets.

According to Robert DiLorenzo, senior project manager for the developer, City Center Investment Corporation, the project is on track to begin work next spring, with the first units going on sale by the end of 2024.

DiLorenzo said planning and approvals for the project are on track, but Downtown wants to wait until the new Fourth Street garage is finished later this year before closing the Pine Street garage to begin construction. works.

DiLorenzo revealed a new rendering of the project that adds design elements recommended by the city’s Historic District Commission. The new design divides the facade into sections, intended to evoke a row of townhouses rather than a continuous structure.

The facade at the corner of Third and Pine Streets in particular was designed to pay homage to the Drake Building, a seven-story building with a cast-iron facade that stood on this site until its demolition in 1972 at the far end. back of Easton. phase of “urban renewal”.

“One of the things that got us excited about working with HDC was exploring Easton’s story,” DiLorenzo said. He said the designers were happy “to try to give a little homage, a little nod, to the Drake building”.

The ground floor of the Marquis will include commercial space, while the overall development will have approximately 280 apartments and 305 parking spaces.

Courtesy of Bernardon.

The ground floor of the Marquis will have commercial space, which DiLorenzo says would be perfect for something like a small cafe, a fitness room, and a retail store.

The first two levels behind the storefronts will be dedicated to parking. The plan calls for 305 spaces, many of which DiLorenzo said would likely be empty on weekdays and available for public parking.

The third floor will have two courtyards, one with a swimming pool and picnic area for residents and the other with a dog park. The roof of the building will include a residents’ deck and a 20,000 square foot green roof, which will aid in the structure’s stormwater management plan.

The overall development will have between 270 and 280 apartments, depending on the eventual mix between one- and two-bedroom units, DiLorenzo said, and rents will likely start around $1,300 per month.