Empire Towers Structural Integrity Incident: Information & Updates

Following a 911 call regarding the structural integrity of the building, first responders discovered that the parking garage beneath the privately owned, 10-story office building had been compromised during active and unpermitted construction work. The Department of Inspections and Permits Chief Building Inspector confirmed the building was unsafe for occupancy, and posted that determination publicly. As of today, the building remains classified as unsafe, meaning no public entry is permitted.
 

Due to the high structural instability risks, the county has established a 150-foot safety perimeter around the building. This distance is equal to one and a half times the building’s height - the standard measurement for a potential collapse zone. This measurement accounts for a total building collapse with a necessary buffer to account for debris bouncing, rolling, or being projected outward. Due to the risk of collapse, individuals must remain outside the 150-foot safety perimeter. 

The county’s primary concern is public safety. Following the county’s determination that the building was unsafe for occupancy, the Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, Department of Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management worked together to establish a safety perimeter and coordinate necessary building and road closures. County departments continue to coordinate closely to monitor the safety perimeter, traffic control, and building conditions.

The responsibility for correcting the structural integrity of the building rests with the building’s owner and management company. The owner is working with a licensed structural engineering firm who has evaluated the site, and their contractor plans to begin remediation early this week. The county will receive regular updates from the team, and county inspectors will conduct routine inspections during remediation to ensure permitted repair work complies with the approved plan and applicable building codes. 

All buildings and roadways within the 150-foot safety perimeter are closed at this time, and there is no public entry allowed within the safety perimeter. The Maryland State Highway Administration has implemented a partial lane reduction on southbound Route 2, shifting traffic to one open lane located outside the safety perimeter. The county has road closures at 6th Avenue, affecting both Crain Highway and southbound Ritchie Highway. Drivers should expect a detour via 8th Avenue and Route 648. Due to the risk of collapse, individuals must abide by these closures to remain outside the 150-foot safety perimeter. 

Only a portion of Route 2 is located within the 150-foot safety perimeter, so traffic can continue southbound on Ritchie Highway using one lane.  
 

No, not at this time. The building is currently unsafe for occupancy, and no public entry is permitted. Due to the risk of collapse, individuals must remain outside the 150-foot safety perimeter. The county will let the public know once the building is stabilized and when individuals are able to enter the premises.

The 150-foot safety perimeter will be in place until the building is no longer at risk of collapse. The building owner is working with a licensed structural engineering firm who has evaluated the site, and their contractor plans to begin remediation early this week. Once the team begins work, they estimate it will take approximately 10 days to place the structural supports needed to stabilize the building. Once the building is stable, the safety perimeter will be lifted and buildings and roads may reopen. The county will receive regular updates on this work and will provide an updated timeline as new information becomes available.

To assist businesses in the collapse zone that are currently unable to operate, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) has launched the Empire Towers Disaster Recovery Grant. Applications are now open at https://bit.ly/EmpireTowersGrant, with initial $2,500 grants available to eligible businesses located at 7310 Ritchie Highway or within the 150-foot safety perimeter (7300 or 7314 Ritchie Highway). Businesses that meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply as soon as possible while funding remains available. AAEDC is also available as a resource to help impacted businesses find temporary locations and other support throughout this incident. Business owners are encouraged to reach out to AAEDC at info@aaedc.org.

Yes. All businesses outside the clearly marked 150-foot safety perimeter remain safe and open for business. We encourage residents to continue supporting these local establishments.

For businesses that are located outside the collapse zone but have been impacted by road closures (500, 508, 512, and 514 Crain Highway North), the county is working with adjacent property owners to open detours to allow employees and customers a safe route to reach their buildings. The county will share updated route details as soon as they become available. AAEDC is also available as a resource to help impacted businesses find temporary locations and other support throughout this incident. Business owners are encouraged to reach out to AAEDC at info@aaedc.org.

Given the evolving nature of this situation, the county will continue to provide updates on this webpage as new information becomes available.