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Officials outline repair plan and timeline for downtown library garage after June fire
Summary
Metro staff told commissioners the June 2025 fire damaged the 4th and 5th levels of the downtown library parking garage, temporary shoring has begun, structural reviews recommend repair rather than replacement, and a limited reopening of lower floors could follow completion of shoring and further evaluation.
City staff updated the commission on plans to repair the downtown library parking garage after a June 2025 fire that severely damaged upper levels of the structure.
John Boghossian, who manages capital infrastructure for NDOT, said the fire occurred on the garage’s fourth level, spread to the fifth and caused a partial ramp collapse and “extensive damage” including spalling, cracking and warping of concrete and steel members. Two structural opinions received in June recommended the structure remain closed; an October 2025 evaluation recommended repairing the damaged area rather than replacing the entire structure.
Temporary shoring began in late December to stabilize damaged areas while staff complete detailed forensic evaluation of beams, rebar and other members. Boghossian said the plan is to demo the highlighted damaged zone, reconstruct that section and, where safe, open lower floors for parking operations as repairs proceed.
Commissioners asked about vehicles left in the garage after the fire; staff said vehicles on floors below Level 4 were removed where safe, two cars on the fourth level were being removed and four vehicles remain on the fifth floor. Tom Cross of Metro Legal said Metro’s insurance and other potentially responsible parties have been engaged, that Metro has provided inspection opportunities and notices about impending demolition, and that no final liability determination has been made.
Boghossian estimated shoring and structural reviews could be finalized in the next couple of months, after which partial opening of lower levels might begin. Commissioners asked staff to request contractor reports on financial impacts and capital spending and raised the possibility of modernizing parts of the garage during reconstruction, a matter that Boghossian said would require coordination with the mayor’s office and budget authorities.
Staff were asked to keep the commission updated on timelines for vehicle retrieval, partial reopenings and budget implications.
