Thompson Ctr. granite slabs deemed unsafe

October 15, 2009 (CHICAGO) Over the summer, a stone panel fell from the street-level, outer pillars along the building's stores. One fell onto the Clark Street sidewalk August 27. No one was hurt.

But after inspecting all the granite, crews are going to remove about 1,000 granite panels. They each weight between 200 and 600 pounds.

Work is expected to begin by the end of this month. The project is estimated to cost $1 million.

A canopy and several steel bands were put in place to immediately protect the public, said a release from Thompson Center spokesman David Blanchette. The release also said some slabs deemed especially hazardous were already removed.