Concerns that marble could fall off the palace in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta leaders taking a close look at the Municipal Building, and some concerned about what they see.

“This is the people’s building, and people that come here should be able to do so safely without fear of a panel falling on them,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

There are more than a thousand marble panels on the building, but one of them had to be removed.

After it came loose, due to a rusted fastener, the concern is: how many more are rusted on the 66-year-old building?

“It could be a dangerous situation. For me, the biggest part is that one of those panels fall into the new existing facility or the side third floors going down could cause more damage to the building,” said Interim Central Services Department Director Ron Lampkin.

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An engineering report states a reasonable scenario exists where a marble façade panel could fall from the structure; it’s recommending to X-ray all panels to see if any others are loose.

“And that’s going to cost us about $200,000,” said Lampkin.

City leaders are mixed on holding a full inspection of the panels

“We don’t want to see it crumble, but we’ll get it fixed. I don’t see us not getting it taken care of,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.

“This building was inspected less than four years ago. What is the need to do this full inspection now?” said Mayor Pro-Tem Brandon Garrett.

“I don’t know if it takes $200,000. Some inspection is probably needed,” said the mayor.

In the meantime, the inspection report says all people using the building should use the main entrance only and not the side doors.

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