Cars trapped under unsafe Glen Burnie building may not be recovered for months
People whose vehicles remain trapped in the parking garage beneath the Empire Towers building in Glen Burnie, which was evacuated and declared unsafe on July 9, could be waiting months to get them back.
CBS News Baltimore obtained an email from the building's management to tenants stating that emergency work is underway to stabilize the structure.
However, the email says an engineer's analysis indicates it will not be safe to remove the vehicles within the next 90 days, and no one will be allowed to enter the building for the foreseeable future.
"Until we obtain the appropriate clearances, we are unable to permit access to the parking garage or the building," the email reads.
"It's rough," said Vickie Gorzo, who was forced to leave her car behind. "My heart goes out to anybody who cannot continue to work."
What's next?
County officials said approximately 100 people were evacuated after unpermitted construction work in the parking garage caused ceilings to sag and exposed rebar on Thursday, July 9.
Dozens of vehicles remain in the parking garage after employees were forced to leave without them.
"Of course, anybody would be angry at the fact that something was unpermitted and happening while you were in a building," Gorzo said.
The county initially established a 150-foot safety perimeter around the 10-story privately owned building, equal to one and a half times the building's height, due to the risk of collapse.
The email said the complexity of the stabilization and shoring work has caused delays because crews had to address specific issues before they could safely enter the parking garage.
"Unfortunately, we do not yet know the extent or specific nature of those repairs or how long they will take to complete," the email says.
The email added that once the emergency shoring is finished, management will speak with the building owner's structural engineers and Anne Arundel County about when people can retrieve their vehicles and personal property.
Gorzo told CBS News Baltimore that she hasn't been allowed to access the law office where she works on the seventh floor of Empire Towers since the building was deemed unsafe on July 9.
Her jeep, like about 100 others, remaining in the parking garage underneath.
"You just felt the whole building shake," Gorzo recounted. "You heard a loud bang and the whole building shook."
Gorzo
Gorzo is one of about 100 people who were evacuated and forced to leave their cars behind after county officials said a floor shifted during unpermitted construction work in the parking garage…which caused ceilings to sag and exposed rebar.
Gorzo: "of course anybody would be angry at the fact that something was unpermitted and happening while you were in a building."
Three weeks later, dozens of cars are still trapped in the parking garage.
Gorzo: "thankfully i was one of the lucky ones that my insurance company did give me a rental car for a month but after august 9, i won't have a vehicle."
That might a problem…
Wjz obtained an email from the building's management to tenants saying an engineer's analysis indicates it will not be safe to remove the vehicles within the next 90 days and no one will be allowed to enter the building for the foreseeable future.
Gorzo: "it's rough. My heart goes out to anybody who cannot continue to work."
Gorzo says she's fortunate to be able to work virtually. However…in addition to her car, she's worried personal affects in her office like the beta fish and a sentimental anniversary gift from her husband might be gone for good.
Gorzo: "it's definitely a heart-tugger that it's still up there."
Live tag:
The email says once the emergency shoring of the building is finished, management will speak with the structural engineers and county officials about when people can retrieve their vehicles and personal property.
