Glen Burnie, MD (July 10, 2026) – Anne Arundel County officials are providing an update on the coordinated, multi-departmental response to the structural integrity incident at Empire Towers.
On July 9, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to a 911 call at 7310 Ritchie Highway. First responders arrived to find the parking garage beneath the privately owned, 10-story office building had been compromised during active construction work. Out of an abundance of caution, first responders evacuated 100 occupants from the facility, with no injuries reported at this time.
Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works Road Operations, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Fire, Emergency Management, and Inspections and Permits worked to coordinate perimeter closures.
The Department of Inspections and Permits Chief Building Inspector confirmed the building was unsafe for occupancy, and that determination has been posted publicly. As of today, the building remains classified as unsafe, meaning no public entry is permitted.
Responsibility for correcting the structural integrity of the building and determining next steps rests with the building's owner and management company, who will need to retain a licensed structural engineering firm to evaluate the site. Once a contractor is hired to begin remediation, County inspectors will conduct routine inspections during the construction phase to ensure permitted repair work complies with the approved plan and applicable building codes.
County staff have also been on-site notifying nearby businesses of the situation, and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation is reaching out to impacted businesses.
As part of the ongoing response and damage assessment, traffic pattern changes remain in effect. The Maryland State Highway Administration has closed northbound MD-3 Business (Crain Highway) between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue, and southbound MD-3 Business between 8th Avenue and Virginia Avenue. The Department of Public Works closed nearby county roads leading to MD-3 Business. Additionally, the Department of Public Works secured access to surrounding parking areas and closed 6th Ave NW between Ritchie Highway and Crain Highway to ensure public safety.
Drivers are instructed to follow all posted detours and avoid the area. Please see the attached map for road closure details.
Anne Arundel County will continue to monitor this situation and provide any additional updates as needed.
