A partial parking garage collapse at an apartment building in downtown Milwaukee on January 7th is prompting city officials to consider mandatory structural inspections for all parking facilities. The incident, which occurred at The Empire Building, located at 1041 E. Knapp St., sent two vehicles into the building’s basement, though no injuries were reported.
Alderman Robert Bauman, speaking to the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee on Tuesday, explained the impetus for the proposed ordinance. “No injuries, no loss of life, but it did raise the issue of ‘do we do post-construction inspection of parking structures and parking decks?’” Bauman stated, according to meeting records. He indicated the idea originated with Tony Janowiec, CEO of Interstate Parking.
The proposed ordinance, developed in collaboration with the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) and the Legislative Reference Bureau, would require third-party engineers to conduct regular structural evaluations of parking structures. It mirrors an existing city requirement for facade inspections on buildings five stories or taller, which has been in effect since 2001.
Currently, the DNS performs annual inspections of parking structures, but these focus on life-safety issues rather than comprehensive structural assessments. “We perform periodic inspections, not specific to the structural evaluation of that building, but we do have three different inspectors that are going through that building annually,” said DNS Deputy Commissioner Michael Mazmanian on February 3rd. He added that these frontline inspections are intended to identify issues for further evaluation by specialists.
Jumaane Cheatham, DNS commercial division manager, attributed the January collapse to repeated water penetration, including saltwater during winter months, causing cracks in the foundation. He noted that the DNS had evaluated the building approximately six months prior to the incident. “It’s just the nature of the climate we see in Wisconsin and it’s a concern for everybody,” Cheatham said.
The committee unanimously approved the proposed ordinance, which is now scheduled for consideration by the full Milwaukee Common Council next week. The proposal outlines a phased implementation based on building age and exterior wall construction, categorized into four types. Category I buildings utilize noncorrodible metals in their exterior walls, while Category II employ corrosion-resistant metals. Category III buildings use corrodible metals, and Category IV buildings rely on adhesive bonds or masonry headers.
Buildings constructed before 1920 would be required to submit their first inspection report by December 1, 2028. Those built between 1920 and 1950 would have until December 1, 2029, and structures built in 1951 or later would have until December 1, 2030, once they reach 15 years of age. Subsequent inspection frequencies would vary by category, ranging from every five years for Category III buildings to every 12 years for Category I buildings.
A separate proposal, currently stalled in the Wisconsin State Legislature, would mandate inspections for all parking structures every five years. Still, with the Assembly having adjourned for the year, passage of that legislation is unlikely until at least 2027.
