Officials 'optimistic' trapped cars could be removed from Bayshore parking structure next week
GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- After the parking structure by Trader Joe's in Bayshore partially collapsed on Thursday afternoon, many are concerned about the future of the dozens of cars that are still stuck inside and the level of safety the remaining part of the infrastructure imposes for shoppers and visitors alike.
North Shore Fire and Rescue officials released an updated statement on Saturday, Feb. 25, confirming their theory that nobody was injured in the collapse that damaged two cars and trapped more than 50 other vehicles.
“That entire area is cleared out so we can definitively say and are grateful to say that there were no injuries," Assistant Chief Dan Tyk told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.
Crews at #Bayshore are working to clear the pile of rubble and debris leftover from Thursday’s collapse that left two cars damaged and multiple trapped. We’ll have live updates on @CBS58 at 5 pic.twitter.com/DLPUNxwyF2
— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) February 25, 2023
Crews spent the weekend clearing out the piles of rock and rubble left behind to attempt to make a path for the other vehicles.
Officials have confirmed the two damaged cars have since been removed.
“I’m very optimistic that, like I said, early this week, the vehicle owners that have vehicles on the second floor will be able to get them out and then I’d imagine shortly after the third-floor vehicles as well," Tyk said, noting that workers are in the final stages of developing plans to remove the trapped cars. “It’s gonna involve basically creating some temporary drive path to be able to get the vehicles from the second floor and then the plan for the third floor is gonna be a little different than that because there is no ramp from the third to the second right now.”
The collapse came after a snowfall earlier in the week and while officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause, many online are speculating that the heavy weight of the snow contributed.
“I would imagine in the coming weeks there will be testing and review of the structural components to determine and definitively say what the cause was," Tyk said.
Shoppers on Saturday had mixed reactions to the scene.
Ann Parkins and her husband Jim Magestro said they have lived in the area since the 1970s, coming to Bayshore multiple times a week, especially in the warmer months.
"Wow, those rocks, it's scary just looking at it all. This is absolutely insane and so grateful that people did not get killed," Parkins said. “I think this is unbelievable it’s really something I’d never thought I’d see in my lifetime for sure.”
Arnold Branch, who also lives nearby, said he believes that mall management and insurance companies need to take responsibility and help out the affected car owners.
“I don’t know if it’s like rent-a-car or something, getting them back and forth to work, or school I mean, get their kids to daycare; whatever they need to do," Branch said. "They didn’t ask for this to fall down, nobody predicted this, but it happened.”
Officials said they have engineers working to figure out the future of the structure, but currently, some are "confident" they will be able to safely rebuild the affected portion.
“I'll park outside and then a year later I might think about parking inside but not right away," Magestro said.
If you own one of the cars that are trapped, Bayshore management is asking you to reach out to them immediately, as their removal process could begin as early as Tuesday, Feb. 28.