Falling glass from state buildings in downtown Raleigh
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Warning signs and barriers are up around two state buildings in downtown Raleigh due to broken and falling glass. The Department of Administration sent out a safety notice to the public and employees Monday, stating it's been happening at the Nature Research Center and Department of Environment and Natural Resources headquarters on Jones Street.
Chris Mears, DOA spokesman, told ABC11 the buildings were first constructed in 2008, but since additional construction in 2012, 16 of the more than 5,000 glass panels have broken within their frames, sending pellet-sized pieces of glass onto the street below as well as inside.
The DOA began investigating on Sept. 9. Mears says inspectors have yet to figure out the root cause of the problem.
"We don't know whether it's an installation problem," said Mears. "We don't know whether it's a material defect. So until then we don't know which steps to take in order to remedy it."
In preparation for thousands of visitors to downtown Raleigh's BugFest on Saturday Sept. 20, Mears said DOA installed scaffolding and barriers around the Nature Research Center. More barriers will go up around DENR headquarters this week as inspectors continue analyzing broken glass from the building.
State officials say no injuries from falling glass have been reported.
No word on the cost of repairing and replacing the glass panels.
