Local
Glen Burnie businesses resume normal access, but Empire Towers tenants remain locked out
Anne Arundel County officials and the owner of Empire Towers say the 10-story building is no longer at risk of collapse, allowing the 150-foot safety perimeter and nearby road restrictions to end. Tenants still face a wait of four to six weeks before they can enter to collect belongings, while some cars remain trapped in the garage.
GLEN BURNIE, Md. — The safety zone around Empire Towers has been lifted and nearby roads have reopened after crews completed a second phase of emergency stabilization work, but tenants will have to wait weeks before they can retrieve their belongings.
Anne Arundel County officials and the building’s owner said Thursday, Oct. 22, that the 10-story building is no longer at risk of collapse. A 150-foot perimeter had restricted access around the property since the building was deemed unsafe in early July.
The safety concerns followed unpermitted construction in the parking garage that exposed reinforcing steel inside the concrete, according to the information provided by the building’s owner.
The reopened roads are a relief for businesses that have struggled during the closure. Brenda Herrera, who owns a car-detailing shop across the street, said the restricted area reduced visibility and drove away customers. “The number of customers started to drop,” she said.
The building owner said it expects the property to reopen in four to six weeks so tenants can collect personal belongings. Permanent repairs are expected next year.
Some vehicles remain inaccessible in the garage because structural support posts block their removal. The owner said it is working with contractors to develop a way to get those cars out.
For Emily Kneebone, whose car is still inside, the stabilization work is progress, but the delay carries a practical cost. “To not have that as you're getting into the holiday season is a huge burden,” she said.
The lifting of the perimeter allows neighboring businesses and traffic to return to more normal operations, while questions about access to the building, trapped vehicles and the timeline for permanent repairs remain unresolved.