Feb 13, 2007 2 min read

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is right to be upset about the collapse of a section of concrete floor at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. It’s an embarrassment that could have a huge impact on the economy of the city, the county and all of southwestern Pennsylvania.

When Onorato talks about what happened when the floor gave way under the weight of a tractor-trailer and the subsequent closing of the convention center, you can almost see the steam coming out of his ears. He looks like a man who you wouldn’t want to be with behind closed doors – and for good reason.

What happened is scary.

How in the world could such a large slab of concrete crash to a walkway, trapping a tractor-trailer and a cherry picker? Fortunately, no one was injured.

Onorato and other officials know that they have to clear up the safety issues as soon as possible. To that end, the Sports and Exhibition Authority, which manages the building, has hired the Cleveland firm of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. to perform an independent physical inspection of the convention center.

They didn’t stop there. Another firm, Leslie E. Robertson Associates of New York, will review an inspection and investigation by the building’s design team.

The importance of the convention center hit home immediately because it led to the cancellation of the annual Pittsburgh International Auto Show, the biggest draw of the year. The closing also has thrown into doubt the conventions and other events that have been scheduled.

The Spring Home and Garden Show, another popular event, is scheduled to run from March 2-11. What happens to it?

That’s why the safety to the building must be cleared up as soon as possible.

But the impact of this collapse goes beyond economics and safety.

The convention center has gotten rave reviews, nationally and internationally, for being environmentally friendly and for its spectacular design.

Because of that, it’s done a lot to improve the image of the city, and, by extension, the county and region. Concerns over safety would negate that.

Let’s hope that the conditions that led to the collapse are isolated to that part of the building.

If not, somebody needs to pay, and big time, for the white elephant the county would be stuck with.