Downtown streets could be closed for weeks after granite falls from building

PITTSBURGH — A block of Grant Street is cordoned off in Downtown Pittsburgh after a large piece of granite fell off of one of the city's signature buildings early Sunday morning.

Officials said during a news conference Tuesday that closures between Fourth and Fifth avenues could last several weeks. A northbound lane on Grant may open on Thursday, officials said, but southbound lanes will remain closed to allow the owner of the Frick Building to erect scaffolding needed to facilitate repairs.

The road and sidewalks are blocked by police tape and barriers from the city Public Works department. The building remains open, but visitors must use the Fifth Avenue entrance.

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Part of Forbes Avenue, from Ross Street to Cherry Way, is closed as well, but a portion between Ross and Grant may also reopen Thursday.

The owner of the building, New Jersey-based Rugby Realty, confirmed a 1,500-pound piece of granite fell from the southwest corner of the Frick Building at 437 Grant Street onto the corner of Grant and Forbes Avenue.

The city and Rugby Realty said engineers are at the scene putting together a structural report.

"We are going to have a lot of no-parking areas in downtown Pittsburgh, so if you see no parking signs posted, please do not park there," said Guy Costa, chief operations officer for the city of Pittsburgh.

The city believes water infiltration caused the piece of granite to crumble and fall onto the street below overnight Saturday into Sunday.

Leaders are now waiting for a full report from a structural engineer.

"We are looking to get this resolved as soon as possible though to preserve the public safety and to reduce congestion," said Maura Kennedy, director of the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections.

Crews put up scaffolding Tuesday morning at the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Avenue to protect pedestrians and allow for repairs. Engineers will determine if the building is structurally sound.

A broken window at the building prompted police to respond early Tuesday morning. They said it is not believed to be connected to the granite that fell.

The Frick Building completed construction in 1902 and, at 20 floors high, was the tallest building ever built in the city at the time. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cox Media Group