The Bethlehem Parking Authority reported that during demolition of the Walnut Street Garage, a portion of an adjacent building’s roof incurred minor damage Feb. 23. A structural engineer promptly arrived on site and verified the damage as cosmetic. The city anticipates the necessary repairs will be addressed in the near future.

Contractor Vollers Company said in a release, “During the demolition, it is believed that a support beam failed to fall in a controlled fashion and came in contact with an adjacent building, causing minor damage to the roof.

“We are grateful to report that due to our pre-existing safety precautions and stringent protocols, no persons were injured, and our dedicated crews worked swiftly to clear the area and repair the roof shortly after the incident. We greatly appreciate the prompt response and collaboration with local authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

“Vollers has a long-standing commitment to safety. Our mission is that everyone returns home healthy at the end of each workday. The incident at the Walnut Street Garage was an unfortunate but isolated event, and we are thoroughly investigating the root cause of the collapse to implement any necessary improvements in our safety procedures.

“We are continuing our ground level operations and eagerly anticipate working closely with our teams to devise the safest approach for the ongoing demolition of the structure. We remain dedicated to completing the Walnut Street Garage demolition project safely and efficiently, and we thank the community for their understanding and support.”