CLEVELAND, Ohio - Atlas Masonry Restoration and Maintenance, their owner and the foreman all pleaded not guilty in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday for their roles in the December 2021 parking garage collapse at the Marine Towers West apartment building in Lakewood.
“It is a miracle that the recklessness displayed, not only by Atlas Masonry but the owner and foreman in charge, did not result in serious injury or death,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Their poor decisions put hundreds of lives at risk, and they need to be held accountable for that.”
Workers removed the concrete around two support pillars on the lower level of the parking garage, leaving only exposed rebar to support the structure, said O’Malley. O’Malley added there were no injuries, but 60 seconds before the collapse, a person exited the parking garage in their vehicle.