Wilco officials: Garage set to reopen amid litigation

"The county is proceeding with the design and repair, and we are seeking compensation to cover the cost of the repairs," Daigh said. "We are hoping to bid the repair project this year and we hope to have the garage open mid–next year."

The garage was closed Jan. 24, 2011, after a crack was found in a portion of the structure. Austin consulting firm Jose I. Guerra Inc. inspected the complex and reported repairs and reinforcement with concrete and steel were needed throughout the facility, Daigh said.

"There were multiple signs of distress, Daigh said. "That leads us to believe that there are multiple layers of failure."

The complex was built by Faulkner Construction, a firm based in Austin, and should have weathered 50 to 75 years before needing major repairs, Daigh said. A suit was officially filed June 6 against Faulkner, which provided design and building services for the parking garage project and a remodel to the county Sheriff's Office. Design defects were discovered in both the parking garage and jail, Daigh said.

Because the county is currently in litigation, county officials could not officially comment on the details of the case. Faulkner also declined to comment.

The county also filed suit Nov. 7 against Broaddus and Associates, an Austin firm that provided project management for the construction. Broaddus was not involved with any inspections or reports on the construction or drawings submitted to the county for the garage, Broaddus Executive Vice President David Bowlin said.

"Broaddus and Associates has been very cooperative with the county and its attorney to help their team gather facts and information about the various firms involved in the project, and the specific roles and responsibilities of each," Bowlin said. "The cracking may be attributable to poor subsurface conditions or a latent defect in the structural design of the parking garage—neither of which was the responsibility of Broaddus and Associates."