The earliest the Galleria parking ramp will reopen appears to be Sept. 23, when a report on its condition will be made to the Bismarck Parking Authority.

The authority received an update on the parking ramp from manager Rocky Gordon at Thursday's meeting. The ramp has been closed since Sept. 7 because of structural concerns arising from the attempted removal of the planters on the Galleria's roof.

Parking authority chairman Ray Grabar said a subcontractor of Capital City Construction was working on removing the decking under the planter with a concrete saw when it cut through reinforcing cables for the parking lot.

Grabar said the authority is confident that the ramp is safe but will continue to keep it closed until it's confirmed. The broken cable has been reinforced, but concerns remain.

The authority has contracted with Minneapolis-based Walker Restoration Consultant, which in turn has hired CW Structural Engineers to inspect the structure. Today, the company will employ a nondestructive testing technique in the form of a ground penetrating radar to assess the damage.

"From physical observation, a number of the cables have been cut," Grabar said. "There is nothing wrong with any of the other levels, but should the top level collapse, its weight could bring down all the levels."

Gordon reported that the authority will receive an oral report on the findings Sept. 23 and a written report two days later. The report is expected to include how to repair possible damage, along with costs. Gordon said the situation is repairable.

Grabar said the project contractor and subcontractor are insured and the assessment and repairs shouldn't cost the city anything.

Meanwhile, those who use the parking ramp have been offered the use of available spots in the Parkade, across the street. Most of the inconvenience is being noticed by the patrons of the Radisson Hotel, which is connected to the parking ramp, allowing customers easy access to the hotel. Grabar said that the Parkade is connected to the Radisson with a skywalk, so additional walking distance is the biggest inconvenience.

"They are being served and are making the best of it," Gordon said. "Is everybody happy? Probably not."

The Galleria has 121 parking spots. Some are rented on a monthly basis to the hotel, along with other individuals who work in the downtown area. Some of the renters are voluntarily using the Third Street parking ramp, Grabar said.

"We're anxious to reopen the Galleria because it is instrumental to the hotel operation. Other parking options just are not as convenient," Grabar said.

None of the planters have been removed, Grabar said, and nothing more will be done until after the authority gets the report on the ramp safety. The planters have been a problem for the last decade because they leak and plants do not survive with the leaching of chemicals from the concrete.

The authority budgeted about $250,000 for removal of the concrete planters, which are a part of the roof structure.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)