Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
1 in 5 Manhattan parking garages inspected so far have unsafe conditions
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 18, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Cowley Engineering, P.C. / Department of Buildings
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 18, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Twenty percent of Manhattan parking garages inspected after a fatal garage collapse in April had unsafe conditions–including cracking, corrosion and delaminated concrete–and one garage had to be shut down, according to the city’s Department of Buildings.
Some 110 parking structures out of 550 garages categorized so far have unsafe conditions such as cracks, crumbling concrete or missing handrails, according to data published on the city’s website. Roughly a thousand garages were given an end-of-year deadline to file inspection reports, but only 62% of garages have complied.
Photo taken inside the parking garage at 214 W. 80th St. It shows cellar floor beam encasement spalling and cracking -- described by an inspector with Cowley Engineering, P.C. as a "typical unsafe condition." The garage was shut down following the inspection.
Cowley Engineering, P.C. / Department of Buildings
“The absolute worst garages, the fear is that they're not even aware of this inspection requirement or they don't have the money to comply with it,” said Jason Damiano, a senior structural engineer at RAND Engineering and Architecture, which has conducted some of the inspections.
The city adopted a new inspections mandate last year after a garage collapse in Lower Manhattan in April killed a worker. Garage owners are required to hire a private engineer to inspect their structures. The requirement is being rolled out in phases to eventually include all garages by 2027.
So far, only approximately 13% of the city’s garages have been inspected.
Photo of parking garage at 214 W. 80th St. in Manhattan where an inspection turned up numerous unsafe conditions. The garage was shut down following the report by Cowley Engineering, P.C.
Cowley Engineering, P.C. / Department of Buildings
One garage, at 214 W. 80th St., was issued vacate orders after the inspector, Eric Cowley with Cowley Engineering, P.C, found significant damage to the concrete.
“Enough for injury to people and damage to cars, and a real question about the structural capacity of the floor slabs,” Cowley said in an interview.
Cowley cautioned that just because a building is found to have unsafe conditions, it doesn’t mean it is in danger of collapsing. However, most do require repairs.
“I don't think I've walked into a garage yet–and I've done probably 20 of them–and there hasn't been one that I haven't found something,” Cowley said.
The building department issued fines to some 400 parking garages for missing the inspection deadline–$1,000 a month for failing to meet the deadline and an additional $5,000 penalty at the end of the year for owners still not in compliance.
“Most of these property owners are complying with the law, and many are taking steps to repair their buildings,” Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said in a statement. “For those who have not lived up to this legal responsibility, get those late reports in as soon as possible because monthly penalties have already started, and will continue to rack up until we get compliance.”
Damiano said he was surprised by the number of unsafe conditions he’s found.
“Just the number of garages that have conditions,” he said. “You get people who work there for 10, 20 years, they don't think much of it. And then you get an engineer coming in there one day for a snapshot and saying whoa, whoa, whoa, this is pretty serious.”
Tagged
new york city
inspections
public safety
department of buidlings
parking garage
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
News
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .