Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto issued a press release 7 p.m. Friday saying she had instructed IDA International Inc. to do “emergency, temporary repairs” at the Derby Parking Garage on Thompson Place.
Background
The garage has been closed out of a concern for public safety since Feb. 27.
An engineer hired by the Derby Parking Authority told Aldermen Feb. 27 that parts of the structure should probably be off limits to the public.
Furthermore, the parking authority shared a two-foot slab of concrete with Aldermen Carmen DiCenso that had allegedly fallen from the structure.
A subsequent inspection identified 64 spots in the garage where concrete could fall from the ceiling.
Another engineer told Aldermen Tuesday (March 4) that the garage wasn’t going to collapse, but that the 64 trouble spots should be isolated from the public.
The Aldermen voted Tuesday to have the Derby Parking Authority come up with a plan to address those trouble spots, which would simply involve dropping cones to mark parts of the garage off limits to vehicles and people. In addition, some type of netting was needed on the ceiling to protect the public from falling concrete.
Change of Plan
In a prepared statement Friday night, Dugatto said she was using her authority from the Derby Charter as mayor “to protect our citizens and to support our local businesses.”
IDA International is on Roosevelt Drive in Derby.
An estimated cost for IDA’s work was not mentioned in the mayor’s prepared statement, nor did it state when the barriers would be erected, or when the garage could open to the public.
“These repairs will be done in a cost-effective manner to protect the interest of Derby’s taxpayers and to avoid future liability,” Dugatto’s statement reads.
“I am taking this action to protect the public safety of persons who use the garage and the economy of downtown Derby. This unsafe situation has been allowed to exist for too long at the garage,” the statement reads.
The Aldermen voted 5 – 4 Feb. 27 to close the garage pending an engineer’s report. Dugatto did not think the situation was unsafe Feb. 27. She wanted to keep the garage open, but does not have a vote on the Board of Aldermen.
The Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to have the Derby Parking Authority come up with and implement a temporary fix, one that was to be approved by the Board of Aldermen before going forward.
The temporary repairs to be done by IDA International are not related to the estimated $7 million in repairs the neglected garage needs.
The Derby Parking Authority has been pushing for a referendum — or to somehow get grant money, or money from the state — to fund the repairs.
Here are previously published stories on the condition of the Derby Parking Garage (on Thompson Place, between Olivia and Elizabeth streets):
Q & A with the Derby Parking Authority (2010)
Crew Deals with Parking Garage Craters (2010)
Anyone Want To Buy A Parking Garage? (2011 guest column by a member of the parking authority)
Spring Referendum Could Include Millions for Derby Parking Garage (2013)
Derby Parking Garage Referendum Parked, for Now (2013)
Derby Referendum Taking Shape (2013)
Garage Referendum Going In the Right Direction (2013)
Derby Parking Garage repairs won’t be going to referendum (2013)
Derby Aldermen Close Crumbling Parking Garage (2014)
Derby residents also face some $21 million to $30 million in sewer infrastructure repairs and upgrades, an issue that was supposed to go to voters last year.
Residents approved borrowing $5 million to replace school roofs on three of the four public schools last year.
The parking garage saga even dragged in state officials, who issued a press release Thursday responding to a statement Derby Parking Authority Director Leo Moscato, Jr. made during a public meeting.
