Safety checks begin around sinkhole that opened up outside of Library Lot
Earth flowed into the four-story deep Library Lot on Thursday. Work continued at the site Friday.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
A crack in the concrete retention system caused a 40-foot deep sinkhole to open Thursday afternoon just outside the four-story-deep Library Lot in Ann Arbor.
Site engineers are inspecting hundreds of concrete piles - each a hollow tube helping to restrain the earth - to ensure the site is secure. Crews worked overnight to fill most of the hole; it's now about 10 feet deep. Workers still have a pile of earth to clean up inside the site.
Construction is continuing on the $50 million underground parking structure managed by Christman Co. under the direction of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. The site is located between Fifth Avenue and Division Street, south of Liberty.
A hole behind the Earthen Jar restaurant was created Thursday by crack in a concrete pile at the Library Lot construction site.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
“We’re proceeding with work on site, but we are doing an extensive reevaluation and assessment of the entire system, evaluating each pile individually,” said Pat Podges, vice president of southeast Michigan operations for Christman Co. “If there is any suggestion that any pile needs to be re-fortified, we will do that.”
Concrete slabs eventually will shore up the piles, Hodges said.
The sinkhole follows an incident Tuesday in which a boy walking with his father stepped on a soft spot in the soil next to the construction barrier and fell in a hole behind the University of Michigan Credit Union. Emergency workers used a crane and harness to hoist the boy out following a 911 call. He spent about 10 minutes in the hole.
Podges said the combination of the retention wall, thawing of the ground and sandy soils could have caused an underground cavity behind the concrete retention system to bubble up vertically to open the hole the boy fell into. Workers have since moved the barrier out 10 more feet in the area the incident occurred. Podges said the crew will work with sonar along the perimeter of the site to check for more soft spots. Podges said he would share information on those plans following a site visit and meetings with the DDA, engineers and others Friday.
Workers from Earthen Jar, 311 S. Fifth Ave., and Jerusalem Garden, 307 S. Fifth Ave., were evacuated Thursday and the businesses closed after the ground opened about 3:30 p.m. directly behind Earthen Jar in a shared gravel parking lot frequently used by employees from both restaurants. Friday morning, both restaurants were open.
Kerry Latham, a frequent Jerusalem Garden customer, said he wants assurance the site and area surrounding it are safe. So far, he’s not convinced.
“It’s shocking,” said Latham, an Ann Arbor resident and recent University of Michigan mechanical engineering graduate. “As an engineer, someone’s really messed up in there.” Latham stopped by Jerusalem Garden for a sandwich Friday morning before checking out the sinkhole.
Podges reiterated engineers are checking each pile and investigating further. He reminded people to stay back from the fence.
“We don’t want the general public injured, and we don’t want to put anyone living around this hole at risk.”
Extra safety checks will be done in a “methodical and structured way,” he said.
Ali Ramlawi, who owns Jerusalem Garden, said he doesn’t feel safe in the lot behind his place, despite assurances from a variety of individuals involved.
“I’m not going to use that driveway until that whole project is done,” he said.
Other accidents on or near the site include:
• In late fall, a breach in the southern earth retention wall created a sinkhole effect next to the Ann Arbor District Library that sunk bike hoops and a portion of the concrete sidewalk along the northern edge of the library property. No one was reported hurt in the incident.
• On March 8, two workers from a steel company working on the project were taken to the hospital following an accident on site. The men were working on a metal rebar wall — used to reinforce concrete— when it started to fall shortly before 9 a.m. and "they rode it down about 30 feet," said Joyce Williams, Huron Valley Ambulance public affairs manager.
Patricia Meyer, the director of the construction and safety health division at the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the company has a good safety record.
“This is pretty good for the type of work they do, which is heavy construction,” Meyer said after viewing the company’s inspection and violation history.
MIOSHA opened an investigation into Christman Co. subcontractor Christman Contractors following the March 8 incident that landed workers in the hospital. Meyer said she can’t release details on pending investigations.
DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay called the incident Thursday a "serious occurrence," but did not immediately return a call or e-mail to AnnArbor.com Friday seeking an update. An assistant who answered the phone Friday said Pollay was involved in meetings about the site.
The DDA board consists of 12 volunteer members appointed by the Ann Arbor City Council and Mayor John Hieftje, who also serves on the board. It's charged with improving the quality of Ann Arbor's downtown using taxes collected from downtown properties and revenues derived from downtown parking structures it operates.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
annarbor28
Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 3:44 a.m.
Since I moved back here 4 years ago, I have never had problems easily finding parking downtown. The Library Lot was helpful to have, when going to the library. There was always parking there, also. My son and I always laugh about this underground monstrosity: after living in a large East Coast city for years, we could not understand why a city would want underground parking, which is generally smelly, and awkward to park in, plus having a greater risk of crime (having read reports of these incidents in our former city's papers for years.) Our question is, why do the voters of Ann Arbor keep reelecting the same politicians, who get you all into these messes? This parking lot is such a waste of money. I think it actually will work as a deterrent to coming to that area of town, if one has to go into an underground lot. And does the developer of the unnecessary convention center really expect you to donate parking spaces for that project? (I wonder if this comment will be censured, as mine generally are, maybe for not being nice enough to developers?)
Ricki
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
@ are you serious..........yes I was .Because I chose to use my bicycle and public transportation. I have no need for the parking structures ( at this time) .So I was not aware of the web site for all you drivers to find available parking. I certainly can find better photos to take and more scenic places to ride.
Are you serious?
Sun, Mar 27, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
I don't bike any more but do use AATA. Came across the site when I noticed as you did that there were always lots of spaces almost any time I was downtown.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
Just plain frightening! I'm not "against" this project but I certainly agree with the general view that this project is proving to be a lot more dangerous than should be expected - or tolerated. "Somebody really screwed up here." -- -how many times have we heard that before? I DO hope that corrective measures are reported fully to the Ann Arbor public. AnnArbor.com: just keep on top of this story for us, please.
Are you serious?
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
Apparently not well known but there is a link that shows the number of available parking spots in the Republic System. (No need to drive around and take pictures!) You can get to it here: <a href="http://a2dda.org/parking__transportation/available_parking_spots/" rel='nofollow'>http://a2dda.org/parking__transportation/available_parking_spots/</a> If that link does not work go to <a href="http://a2dda.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://a2dda.org/</a> and click on the Parking and Transportation and click on Available Parking Spots. It appears to be updated in real time. I just reloaded the page and some of the number changed. I wonder if there is historical data that one could get through an FOIA or something. Might be verrrry interesting. At least would go a long way toward settling the debate.
Kai Petainen
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
wow! awesome link. thank you. i have yet to drive 1.5 hours for a parking spot.
ChunkyPastaSauce
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
Woh... I never knew about this. Thanks! I agree; historical data would be verrrry interesting
clownfish
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
I can tell that most people around this site have zero experience building anything. When working underground one never knows what is going to happen. I once investigated a 20 ft sinkhole next to what was then Tally Hall. Many of you have probably parked in that structure, with no whining about the safety. One thing i have learned from this community base weblog marketing thingy called a2.com is that we have an awful lot of children round here!
jcj
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Clownfish We don't always agree. But I am in total agreement that most of "the shy is falling " group do not have a clue what is and isn't a big deal when it comes to construction. People that could not construct a sand box with precut lumber and plans are now experts on a multi story structure.
1bit
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
While I agree with your comment to a great extent, I would say that some of us remember the "success" of the Tally Hall venture and roll our eyes as history repeats itself with this parking structure and proposed convention center.
Bob Martel
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
Headline News: The sinkhole that has been sucking up all the City's "spare cash" has finally been located!
nickcarraweigh
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
This whole project is a boondoggle. I'm downtown three to five times a week, and the parking structure at Fourth and William has a sign posted listing total vacant parking slots. It is almost never below 200 empty spots. The surface lot between Fourth and Fifth off William where the YMCA was before the DDA had it torn down is also usually lightly used. Why spend $50 million of taxpayers' money needlessly? And make no mistake about it, whether the money is funnelled through the DDA or Santa Claus, it came from us taxpayers. We can round up the usual suspects in a year or two, when some parcel of land near the new parking basement is re-zoned and a big dollar, parking-intensive, highly profitable project moves in. The rustling sound you'll hear will be cash changing hands.
Vivienne Armentrout
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Question: who will pay for this additional work? Does the DDA have a construction fund that allows for such contingencies or will new money be needed? I know that in some construction contracts, the contractor is responsible for unplanned events and puts a contingency charge into the price structure. Readers may not be aware that Valiant Partners LLC is requesting that 350 of the 650 spaces in this new structure be reserved for their use in the proposed hotel/conference center. It is not clear how much or if they would expect to pay for this privilege. This is just one of the reasons that a group of us, Citizens Against The Conference Center, <a href="http://www.nodowntownconferencecenter.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nodowntownconferencecenter.org/</a> have organized a campaign against Council's adopting the Letter of Intent, scheduled for the April 19 council agenda. You'll be seeing yard signs popping up over the next couple of days.
1bit
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
Given the design of the proposed convention center, how about we have an underground convention center and an above ground parking structure?
Ricki
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.
Is their a need for additional underground parking? Republic parking has digital neon signs on most parking structures indicating the number of spaces available. Even in the middle of the mornings or afternoons I've only seen lot full signs at surface parking lots. (and the smaller Washington/Fourth Ave structure ) In the near future I plan on zipping around all the downtown structures on my bike and photographing all the signs that show available./ parking. I'll post them at ( flickr.com/photos/a2parking ) or something along them lines. It should take me less than a hour. Or anyone fell free to whip out yer cameras and do the same
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
I like the idea of breaking parking alerts sent to your cell phone. Any entreprenuers interested?
jcj
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
If you are talking about the need for this structure this is a moot point. Do you expect that they are going to stop building this and put a park there? If you want to "zip" around on your bike and lets us know where there is parking do it at 6pm on Fri evening this summer.
MWH
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 3:04 a.m.
I think we should be encouraging less automobile driving downtown and more bikes, bike-lanes, nice walking areas, and public transportation (trolleys would be cool, so would commuter train). Giant parking structures really don't jive with this vision. Darn. Looking on the upside though, perhaps some of the current above ground lots could eventually be turned into small parks and nice public areas, and we'd still have the structures for limited car use.
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
A beautiful vision of free-range yuppies biking to their favorite resturant to not be served by the waitress and cook staff that cannot afford to live in Ann Arbor and have nowhere to park.
ShadowManager
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
I agree, but you didn't account for free-range grass pens for people to feed and hitch their unicorns to when they ride them downtown.
bunnyabbot
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 3:46 a.m.
spoken like the mouth piece of the mayor
eom
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
This can be added to a long list of reasons we shouldn't do things without careful planning and actual input from the community. It doesn't count to ask for input, not really wanting it, nor listening to it and then forge ahead as if everything is ducky. There have been accidents at this job site throughout this process and the businesses and residents around this area shouldn't have to deal with ANY of this. The condos that are located next to this hole have been continual told they don't need to worry, but I wonder how any of the residents can sleep without having one eye open, just in case the building starts to slide into the rather large hole that is directly behind their building. AND, for every "mishap" there are consequences. When they "fix" things, the residents and business owners are without power for periods of time until they can "fix" the problem. That's fun. Don't even get me started on the HORRIFIC structure they plan to build over the parking lot...forget ugly, how about not needed nor wanted!? For those who say "Everyone had input" or "Residents had a chance to..." No, they didn't. If they had listened, we wouldn't be having these issues right now. Sigh.
Kai Petainen
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:48 a.m.
<a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/12/15/city-losing-500-on-pacific-place-parking-garage" rel='nofollow'>http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/12/15/city-losing-500-on-pacific-place-parking-garage</a> "at the Seattle Times reports today that the city-run Pacific Place parking garage is losing a half-million dollars a year. The subterranean parking lot cost $50 million to build in the late 1990s, but the city spent $73 million, essentially a subsidy, in a deal to revitalize the downtown core. At first it broke even. Now, even though the city has repeatedly raised the parking rates, it's running deep red while competing lots that cost more are staying in the black: "
Arboriginal
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
Weak walls are gonna make me think twice about ever parking in this structure.
jcj
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
BTW What failed here appears to be the piling that is temporarily holding the dirt back while they build the permanent walls. Any suggestion that this will not be safe when it is finished would have to be done by someone that is clearly talking from a novice point of view!
jcj
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
This post ended up in the wrong spot! So many comments from people that don't know beans about construction! I was/am not in favor of this project. But for some to off the deep end because of this incident in ridiculous. You would think it was a nuclear reactor failure!
Mike D.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
Accidents happen. While they should be investigated, the level of jumping to conclusions here is insane. You people are more dramatic than a room full of musical theater students. Also: 1. We need more parking. Ever try to go downtown on a Friday or Saturday night? 2. Ann Arbor voted for more density downtown when it passed the Green Belt. Do you think all the people living downtown are going to ride their brooms around? They need parking. 3. In 5 years, you'll all be parking in the spots this structure has opened up and saying that you supported it all along. 4. This garage is primarily for monthly permit holders, who will move from other above-ground structures, clearing room for hourly parking, which is good for many more businesses than the few impacted by the construction. 5. Quit whining.
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
I too have never had trouble finding parking. But I prefer walking a few blocks to avoid being directly downtown. But my visits have been fewer since the parking prices and enforcement hours were increased. Several times my freinds have opted to go elsewhere to avoid parking fees and tickets. There is just little left downtown that is so special that I would pay extra.
Mick52
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
A special thanks to all of you who will not park in this structure. That will open up spaces for those risk takers who will.
Mick52
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.
sh1 and I are alike. I never have any problems finding parking. Free parking. I hate how expensive A2 parking is and that is why I rarely go DT anymore. But when I do, I can always find a place to park - legally - that requires no fee. I suppose it is because I know where to look.
Mike D.
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
I guess we're heading downtown at different times. At 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, I routinely have to sit in traffic checking on multiple lots and structures before I find one with an opening. Last weekend, the 4th/Washington lot was full so I went to the Huron/Ashley lot, also full, so I went to the William/Ashley lot...also full! I finally gave up and waited 15 minutes behind a line of other cars at the "Full" sign to get a spot, making me late for dinner.
bob
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
I completely agree with Mike D. Accidents happen. The construction company is working in a very tightly defined space. Constuction work is more dangerous than many other jobs, like sitting at a desk...it is just the nature of the work involved. While we would all want this to be a perfect world it is not. You have to try to anticipate problems and then respond accordingly when unexpected issues arise. Hopefully there won't be any major accidents.
bunnyabbot
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 3:44 a.m.
I am a towny, I have never not been able to find parking, even on a friday or saturday night, the only exception for difficult parking is art fair which I don't deal with because I avoid art fair because I refuse to pay $20 to park in a structure. ...and...I have a few secret places which I will sell the knowledge of to the highest bidder should I ever move out of town that are always in my parking arsonal. BUHAHAHAHA parking though is overpriced
eom
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.
You are correct, accidents DO happen. But, they shouldn't KEEP happening. I've lived in this town for 30+ years...I have always found a parking spot and spend a great many nights in downtown AA...in 5 years, I would rather drive around the block 100 times before parking in a structure that was consumed with issues while being built. I'm guessing that if you lived 20 feet from this hole, you wouldn't think of yourself as whining when discussing the issue with your pals.
sh1
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:32 a.m.
I have never had trouble finding a place to park within a couple blocks of where I'm going downtown. There's a structure everywhere you look!
Wystan Stevens
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:32 p.m.
The simple past tense of "sink" is "sank" -- not "sunk".
jns131
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
Why am I so worried about parking there? This is so wrong on so many levels. If this is the first incident? Will there be more? I really think they need to stop what they are doing and check for more holes. The next time I bet will be a death and then the whole project is now on hold with a huge hole in the ground. This was a bad idea to begin with.
treetowncartel
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:12 p.m.
I can't wait to check this thing out when it is done. If Ann aArbor is going to remain the center of the Uivers, and move on to becoming the gravitational center of the State, it will need a tractor beam of a behemoth underground parking structure to accomodate all of the new life forms that will be visitng the area.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
Which would be worse, I wonder: Being in the parking hole, say, 3 stories down and having the Martian Toaster fall down on you, or being in the Martian Toaster and falling into the hole? If the Toaster Conference Center is never built, are you safer in the hole? If the conference center is built and all the folks working in, staying in or meeting in it park in the underground parking hole, what have we gained for downtown shoppers or restaurant goers?
jns131
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
Why does Pink Floyd come to mind. Another brick in the wall? Another hole in the wall? Scary.
Kai Petainen
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
hahaha....
Kai Petainen
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
on the weblink above that shows a webcam, you can see previous days by clicking on the calendar. the collapse happened on thursday. perhaps the website isn't updated yet, but thursday is greyed out, so you can't see a photo from that day. (or, i'm using it incorrectly?)
ChunkyPastaSauce
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
Christman remove the image data or disabled the cam when the wall collapsed
A2Cronie
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
Wow! just Wow! so many negative comments, I'd like to see if any of the readers here think they might be able to do a better job of building a large complicated structure that downtown ann arbor desperately needs (Hello! I drove around with my kids in the back for almost an hour and a half and couldn't find any where to park last weekend, sheesh). I'm glad that they are quickly addressing this and I wish that maybe some support could be offered up for the folks worked very hard on this project. If it gets too bad, Snyder will handle this, that's why we voted him in, duh!
Barb
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
Uh, well that's mainly because the perfectly good surface lot that was next to the library is now CLOSED. Plus, I like the idea of using AATA to get downtown from Pioneer. Works for me.
MyOpinion
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
What was the big deal last weekend that had all the parking structures full? The problem that leads us to build more parking is that folks don't use the parking on the edge of downtown (e.g., Ann Structure). Instead, everyone wants the Wash/Main lot. If you won't park at Ann you won't park in the bottom of this structure either.
jns131
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
Lynel? Thank you for that comment. Did you know you could have parked at Pioneer High School and took an AATA into town? Yeah. Those buses are centrally located next to a library and holy smokes, walk 5 blocks to another dinosaur you can not park at ever. O yeah, thats right the Childrens Science Center. Duh. Besides Detroit Science Center is much better and yes, you can get parking.
lynel
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
You drove around for an hour and a half looking for a place to park? Unbelievable !!
Kai Petainen
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.
you can see a webcam of the parking deck here <a href="http://webcams.christmanco.com/underground-deck/" rel='nofollow'>http://webcams.christmanco.com/underground-deck/</a>
Kai Petainen
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.
Besides the company building the structure, ask yourself this question... "Who made the most money with this deal?" and then ask yourself.... how are they linked to others in the deal (if there is a link?) I was looking at Christman Company's website -- seems like a decent company. It's nice to see that they're working on a NP structure and fixing it up. <a href="http://www.christmanco.com/portfolio.asp?id=283" rel='nofollow'>http://www.christmanco.com/portfolio.asp?id=283</a> "The design was made to be environmentally friendly" Question -- if you get a flash flood, or some schmuck spills oil in there, how do you stop or filter it?
xmo
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.
So, who do we blame this on: George W. Bush, Greedy speculators, Capitalist or Global Warming?
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
I understand Glenn Beck has linked it to George Soros taking over all of our cars.
clownfish
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
See above, it is the fault of unions. Your own beat you to it!!
A2Cronie
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
xmo, let's blame Snyder, lol.
ML07
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
I have been struggling with the need for such a massive parking structure in the first place let alone all the disruption that this project has caused. I think some folks have an overinflated sense of the draw outside of football saturdays to need such parking to lure folks to downtown. There are very few stores worth browsing and I think the restaurants, except for a couple, are a bit overrated. Yes it is great for a nice night but not sure the draw requires such a large parking project. Then throw in the disruption to the businesses, library access and traffic flow....
Peter Eckstein
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
Elaine, Don't worry about a thing. If the structure is too flimsy to hold a hotel and conference center, we could always bid it out as a site for a nuclear power plant--you know, the new safer ones. Think of all the jobs it would create!
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
Too much work. Just offer to store the spent fuel rods there.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
I have always been creeped out by underground parking lots. Now I will DEFINITELY be parking elsewhere!
julieswhimsies
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
The good news...no one was injured.
Holy Cow
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
There is not a week that goes by that I don't miss the parking lot that was there. I live in Saline and on a weekly basis I would park in that lot and go to restaurants and/or shopping on both Main and State streets since the parking lot was perfectly centered between the two. I detest the parking structures in Ann Arbor as most of them are poorly designed and it is very difficult to back out, see around the corner etc. I know many people use the surface lots for quick errands because they are so much easier and quicker to deal with than the structures. Take away the surface lots and I think you will find that business will drop around Ann Arbor.
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
I would bet that businesses have already felt the pinch. Not just the loss of parking, but the traffic disruptions here and in other places around the City. The timing was terrible witht he economic downturn.
ChunkyPastaSauce
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:28 p.m.
Yeah m not sure why but the parking lot that was there made the area have a good feel to it.
Wguru
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
For a glimpse into how the library lot underground parking structure is affected by the DEQ decision to allow more Pall/Gelman dioxane to spread, click the AADL video of the 3/22/11 Our Water, Our Future = Panel Discussion link here ... <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/srsworg/Home/videos/aadl-water-semester-video" rel='nofollow'>http://sites.google.com/site/srsworg/Home/videos/aadl-water-semester-video</a> ... watch the segment beginning at the 1:29:55 point.
Atticus F.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Why are we dancing around the issue of criminal liability against the people involved in this project.
Atticus F.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
This morning I was walking up and down the street in that area, yelling at the top of my lungs "where are all of the supporters of underground parking now?!". ...Nobody answered.
jcj
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
Most of us were taught at a young age to avoid people that acted like that!
Atticus F.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9 p.m.
Most people wouldn't even make eye contact.
sam123
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
This, in combination with the other accidents and mishaps associated with this project, makes me think that the City's union only policy for construction projects isn't doing anything for the tax payers other than costing us more money. Only union contractors were allowed to participate in this project. The City only allows union workers on their projects with the justification that 'union' means quality, safety and all around high standards. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/library-lot-parking-structure-subcontractor-pleads-guilty-in-bid-rigging-case-in-detroit/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/library-lot-parking-structure-subcontractor-pleads-guilty-in-bid-rigging-case-in-detroit/</a> <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/cause-of-morning-construction-accident-under-investigation-workers-released-from-hospital/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/cause-of-morning-construction-accident-under-investigation-workers-released-from-hospital/</a> this article says it is union only <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/parking-deck-update/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/parking-deck-update/</a> "Most of the contractors working on the project are Michigan-based, and 100 percent of the work is being done by union laborers, Sullivan said."
Wguru
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
Implying that non-union workers would have prevented this problem is not appreciating the continuing contributions to safety that unions have provided. Non-union workers would have had more risk of being fired without recourse for bringing attention to construction flaws... if any of them could actually see such flaws.
iamwrite
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Sam, I agree. Thank you for clarifying, and obviously the "system" is broken if this is happening in the first place. These have been incidents that could have been easily turned fatal. I do not fault the "policy", but I do fault the system. Hopefully things will change, and City Council will start to be proactive and hold people accountable (some saying about holding wishes in my hand...)
Atticus F.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
Sam, thats only true in small scale construction projects.
sam123
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
This is an article about safety. The justification given for using only union contractors is most commonly 'safety'. Union contractors are by far the minority in the State of Michigan.
iamwrite
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
This is not an article about unions or union bashing. This is an article about the sink hole and the DDA's wild time selling invisible clothes to the emperor. You are right that the city allows union workers, because it is a fact that Michigan is a Union state. Even Big Rick won't take on the Auto Unions head-on. If you want a non-union city/state, move down south.
ShadowManager
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
I don't think they closed the street long enough or bagged enough meters...to accomplish this level of incompetence. Bag more meters! close more streets!
Atticus F.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Considering the possibility of flooding, coupled with the possibility of collapse, this structure is nothing more than a death trap.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
If it can't support earth around it, how is it going to support that Martian toaster convention center when it sits on top? This is really scary. You want to park your car 40 down in this hole when it's finished?
Awakened
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
The Martian Toaster Convention Center is REQUIRED to avoid having the new Police/Courts Building the ugliest building in town.
HENRYK
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
Man,that project has been nothing but trouble from the start. This news will hurt Jerusalem Garden even more. Those businesses deserve compensation if only to keep them alive till this is done. Thank god no one got hurt.
Awakened
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8 p.m.
Another fine mess! Brought to you by the same Mayor Heiftje who assures you that half as many cops and volunteer firefighters will be just fine.
ChunkyPastaSauce
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
"If there is any suggestion that any pile needs to be re-fortified, we will do that." I would think that when holes are opening up under people and around building that that would be an indication. Both incidents should have never have happened and could have easily been much much worse; the company needs outside oversight.
iamwrite
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
YES!!! This statement is reactive, not proactive. It would be nice to have proactive people that make decisions and oversight. The DDA is losing confidence with the citizens of Ann Arbor really fast. From the article: "The DDA board consists of 12 volunteer members appointed by the Ann Arbor City Council and Mayor John Hieftje, who also serves on the board. It's charged with improving the quality of Ann Arbor's downtown using taxes collected from downtown properties and revenues derived from downtown parking structures it operates." What part of this project is "improving the QUALITY of Ann Arbor's downtown", when obviously quality is lacking? Too many people have their eyes on $$, and not safety and quality.
Awakened
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Yes. If that isn't a suggestion then I'd call it a big hint.
Blue Eyes
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
So before the sinkholes, who's been inspecting this? City inspectors? DDA's own inspectors? I've heard DDA has a history of using their own inspectors to inspect their own jobs - sounds like a conflict to me!
Awakened
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
And were they trained at the University of "Oh well, it'll probably be fine"?
Thick Candy Shell
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
You are correct!
dextermom
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Do the businesses get any compensation at all?? This project has gone from bad to awful for their business. Or is this "a cost of doing business?"
loves_fall
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
Wow, I didn't realize that this project was such a disaster. I don't know about anyone else, but multiple spontaneous sinkholes are going to make me think twice before roaming too close to the construction zone.
Barb
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
Or wanting to park there when it's done...
a2phiggy
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 6:59 p.m.
These types of mistakes should never be happening - clearly there are cost-cutting measures affecting safety of workers and the public. Each accident is more fuel in the tank of those considering litigation, which, in the end, will be yet another preventable taxpayer burden. Work needs to stop completely until the issues are identified and addressed in full.