Why Timely Parking Garage Inspections and Repairs Can’t Wait

If your building’s parking garage were taken out of service for six to twelve months, how would you operate? What would you tell tenants, and what would the disruption cost? For many owners and managers, the answer is simple: it would be devastating. Yet too often, the same critical asset is underfunded when it comes to routine inspection, maintenance, and protection—until a preventable shutdown forces the issue.

The recent partial collapse of a parking garage in White Plains, NY in October 2025, has placed a spotlight on an issue that affects urban and suburban communities everywhere: the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of parking facilities. While the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, the event has already exposed a troubling pattern of non-compliance with required safety measures.

Just one week after the incident, city officials reported that 40 privately owned garages within White Plains still had not submitted their mandated structural inspection reports — reports that are required by state law. New York requires privately owned parking structures to undergo a structural assessment every three years, performed by a licensed engineer. Once complete, the Parking Garage Assessment Report must be filed with the local municipality. The purpose is straightforward: identify hazardous conditions early and ensure they are properly repaired before they pose a threat to the public.

The fact that dozens of structures remain unassessed raises an important question: How many garages may be quietly holding onto dangerous defects, completely out of sight until a failure occurs?

For property owners and managers, this serves as a critical reminder. Inspections are not simply administrative paperwork or an occasional inconvenience. They are a necessary safeguard for the people who use and rely on your facility every day — residents, employees, customers, and visitors. Parking structures are subjected to constant stress: vehicle loads, exposure to road salts, temperature swings, moisture intrusion, and vibration. Over time, these stresses can lead to:

• Cracked or spalling concrete
• Corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel or other structural steel
• Water infiltration and drainage failures
• Compromised load-bearing capacity
• Undermined foundations or slab deterioration

When detected early, these issues are typically manageable. Repairs can be localized and budgeted for in a proactive way. But when ignored, deterioration accelerates. A minor crack can turn into a structural fracture. A small leak can become widespread corrosion. Localized repairs can become full-scale reconstruction — or worse, collapse.

Beyond safety concerns, there are legal and financial consequences. Failing to adhere to inspection laws can lead to violations, fines, shutdowns, rising insurance risk, and liability exposure following an incident. Deferred maintenance is not cost-saving — it is cost-shifting to a future point when those costs will inevitably be much higher.

Regardless of the state, county, or town that your parking garage is in, creating a consistent cycle of inspection, reporting, repairs, and preventative maintenance protects both the public and your investment. A proactive approach preserves the structural integrity of the building, extends its operational lifespan, and helps avoid disruptions to daily use.

South Shore Construction specializes in structural repairs, concrete restoration, and life-safety enhancements for parking facilities and building façades. We partner with property owners, property managers, and engineers to restore deteriorating conditions quickly, safely, and in full compliance with state and municipal regulations.

A safe structure is never an assumption — it is a responsibility. If your parking garage or building exterior requires repair or maintenance, South Shore Construction is here to support you from assessment through completion. Reach out today to learn how we can help you eliminate hazards, maintain compliance, and ensure peace of mind for the people who rely on your property every day.