Columbia working to hold panels onto Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage

The city of Columbia is trying to keep several panels on the sides of the Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage from moving any further after staff noticed them shift.

Numerous cables are wrapped around each story of the city’s tallest garage, going as high up as the eighth floor. City marketing manager Brian Adkisson told ABC 17 News that staff noticed the exterior brick panels began to “move” recently. The cables were placed as a precaution.

“We are currently working on a permanent remedy now,” Adkisson said. “The cables have been placed as a precaution to prevent further panel movement. There are no known structural issues with the garage and it is safe for our customers as these panels are decorative only.”

Adkisson was not available for follow-up questions on the issue. Columbia Public Works did not provide any further details about the problem.

The city recently completed work throughout October and November of 2018 on the exterior panels.

John Glascock, interim city manager, said at Monday night’s city council meeting that the city is working with a construction company to make repairs. He did not give a timetable for when the repairs would be made, how much it would cost or which company would do the work.