Feb 18, 2008 11:21 pm US/Central
I-TEAM: Parking Ramp Inspections
(WCCO)
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In January, the city ordered the Lowertown Business Center Ramp closed after engineers discovered ramps that could easily collapse under the weight of a car. (File)
CBS
When the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed many of people began to question the safety of the structures around us including parking ramps. They are big business in the Twin Cities. Last year, Minneapolis and St. Paul made a combined $25 million on the ramps they own.
However, most ramps are owned by private companies.
For the last six months the I-TEAM has scoured through hundreds of records, visited dozens of St. Paul and Minneapolis parking ramps and discovered many in desperate need of repairs. Ramps like the one we found retired mechanical engineer Lee Johnson parked in at 345 Jackson Street in St. Paul.
"I don't know whose responsibility it is, but I think that it's something to be concerned about," he said.
"I'm looking as I'm talking to you and I'm seeing a big hole with steel showing and the same thing over here."
Johnson was worried with what he saw here and for good reason. The I-TEAM found the most recent inspection report recommended the level he parked on and three others be closed for repairs. Yet it took more than a month for crews to begin that work.
Erin Moe also parked in that ramp and said, "You wonder especially after what happened with the bridge and finding out that that wasn't sturdy, but they'll keep other structures where tons of people go open. I don't know."
The Findings
St. Paul and Minneapolis do not require a structural inspection until a ramp has been opened five years. However, every year after that each city requires ramp owners to file some kind of report that details problems.
Minneapolis has done a pretty good job enforcing the rules. Five ramps failed to meet the code requirements last year. This year that number is down to one. However, that one ramp at 2500 Blaisdell Avenue South, also known as the W Condos, hasn't had a single inspection since it was built in 1965.
"We have no records of this ramp," said Henry Reimer, Director of Inspections for the city of Minneapolis
The I-TEAM found St. Paul was missing updated reports on 74 percent of its ramps. Some ramps had not had a structural inspection in 14 years.
"The fact of the matter is our program didn't have those periodic reports in the past and with your help we have actually made a lot of improvement," said Bob Kessler, Director of the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections
Both cities revamped their inspection programs in 2007; an attempt to make sure things weren't falling through the cracks. Kessler admits there is still work to be done.
As a result of the I-TEAM's investigation the city discovered it had records scattered across three different departments: the fire department, code enforcement and licensing and inspections. St. Paul is now in the process of putting those records on one computer file.
Lowertown Business Center Ramp
In January, St. Paul ordered the Lowertown Business Center Ramp closed after engineers discovered ramps that could easily collapse under the weight of a car. Yet days later, the I-TEAM found 131 cars parked in that ramp.
The I-TEAM told the city, who said they'd look into it, however the next day there were more cars parked in the ramp.
The city finally condemned the ramp, and since then, the ramp owner has made temporary repairs.
St. Paul has now given the owner of that ramp until Tuesday (February 19, 2008) to do more permanent repairs. That owner is appealing the ruling. The St. Paul City Council is expected to make a final ruling when it meets Wednesday (February 20, 2008) evening.
"Frankly, I am disappointed in the owner of that ramp, very much so," said Kessler.
Description Of Problems
Due to Minnesota's extreme weather cracks in concrete and ponding of water are typical finds in Twin Cities ramps. However, the I-TEAM also found more serious problems like exposed steel and dangling concrete.
The I-TEAM saw some of that at hospital ramps, specifically St. Joseph's hospital ramp, Abbott Northwestern and University of Minnesota Fairview clinics. All of these ramps were found to be structurally safe for parking, however they all need work.
St. Joseph's Hospital
The ramp at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul sits right next to a new addition. Inside you'll see exposed steel and rusted rebar, evidence of water damage. The hospital is in the last year of a three year renovation project that the city admits it is watching closely.
U of M Fairview Hospital Clinic Red Ramp
The Red Ramp at the U of M Fairview Hospital clinic in Minneapolis shows similar problems. Engineer reports recommend closing this ramp after 2008. However, the hospital said it has made repairs and more improvements so it now plans to keep it open until 2011.
Abbott Northwestern Hospital Ramp One
Then there's Ramp One at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. The 2007 inspection report noted that "the amount of deterioration and the lack of a long-term restoration plan is becoming a major concern." Again here the I-TEAM found dangling concrete and exposed steel.
"The one issue that we do have concern with is dangling concrete that could fall on a car or on a person," said Henry Reimer, Director of Inspections for Minneapolis.
Northstar Center
The I-TEAM found more dangling concrete at the Northstar Center Ramp in downtown Minneapolis. Reports for this ramp show engineers recommending the same repairs year after year. The most recent inspection report from 2007 said the ramp was "deteriorating faster than it is being repaired."
"The exposed rebar is something will require us to possibly close that ramp down the road due to structural failure but it isn't something for which we could issue an immediate order to fix," said Reimer.
"Why not?" asked I-TEAM's Terri Gruca.
"It's not a safety issue," said Reimer.
Ramp Owners Responsible For Recommended Repairs
Cities leave it up to ramp owners to decide when to make certain repairs. In fact, the I-TEAM uncovered that until a ramp is found to be structurally unsafe, Minneapolis and St. Paul don't step in.
Most ramps in Minneapolis and St. Paul are considered structurally safe, meaning they are able to hold the load for which they were designed. However, when you pay to park in a ramp that looks like it needs work, in a place where a bridge has fallen, its understandable that even a retired engineer questions the safety.
"I'd still probably park in the ramp if I had to," said Lee Johnson. "But I'd probably look for a meter first, outside on the street."
Check Out The Ramp Where You Park
The I-TEAM has put together a list of all the ramps in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and when they were last inspected. Click on the city names to check your ramp.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
More Inspection Information At Terri's Consumer Blog
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