Willowick files more charges since Shoregate parking deck collapse

Marah Morrison, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Sep. 29—Since the collapse of the parking deck of the East Tower of Shoregate Towers, Willowick has filed additional criminal charges with the Willoughby Municipal Court.

According to Willowick Mayor Michael Vanni, the most recent charges were filed on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7 regarding rubbish accumulation, balcony guards, infestation and elevators through the buildings.

The News-Herald reached out to Shoregate Towers, NS, LLC. for comment, but they did not respond immediately.

"The city is currently performing its annual inspection of the apartment towers by the housing and zoning department," Vanni said. "Any violations will be cited and pursued for compliance."

The mayor said the city will continue to cite Shoregate Towers for any observed violations going forward.

"We remain committed to the safety of the residents and our safety personnel, and will continue to monitor the situation through its fire, police and building officials," he said.

For the removal of vehicles within the collapse site, Willowick required the property owners to submit drawings approved by a structural engineer, setting forth the plan. The drawings have since been approved by the city Fire Department, Vanni said.

The parking deck collapse took place on Aug. 23 around 8 p.m. A fire started in the lower level of the parking garage as a result of the collapse, but it was quickly extinguished. The towers were then cleared and residents were able to safely return to their apartments.

The decking of the garage collapsed and several cars were trapped and some flipped.

Willowick then criminally prosecuted Shoregate Towers for building code violations, Vanni said.

Additionally, the city has worked with several local agencies, including the Lake County Health Department, the Lake County Building Department, the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Fair Housing Resource Center of Lake County to seek compliance for violations on the property.

Vanni said the property owners pleaded no contest in May and were found guilty of 15 building code violations. The owners are currently on probation to the Willoughby Municipal Court, requiring mandatory written reporting to the court every 60 days with status hearings on ongoing repairs to the property.

The owners have filed a notice of appeal.

Shoregate Towers has owned the property since 2017. All prior and pending criminal cases filed against Shoregate Towers, Lemma Getachew and Guenet Indale are available to the public on the Willoughby Municipal Court website, willoughbycourt.com.