Crews investigating after downtown Ottawa parkade ‘deemed unsafe’

A parking structure on Laurier Avenue in Ottawa after being deemed 'unsafe' by officials. (Hannah Berge/CTV News Ottawa)

A downtown Ottawa parking garage was evacuated on Tuesday evening after officials discovered the integrity of the structure was compromised.

The Ottawa Police Service says in a post on X that officers were dispatched to reports of a collision in the 200 block of Laurier Avenue at approximately 5:35 p.m.

An investigation found no collision took place but the garage was discovered to be “compromised” and was “deemed unsafe.”

Ottawa Fire Services say a 911 caller noticed damage to a column on one of the pillars in the parking garage. On arrival, fire crews noticed that five or six of the girders were bowing, according to a news release.

A structural collapse team dispatched to the scene confirmed the integrity of garage was compromised.

Pedestrians were evacuated from the area and road closures are in effect for safety reasons, police say.

There were no reports of injuries.

“Vehicles parked inside the parkade cannot be moved until further notice,” Ottawa police say.

Vehicle owners parked inside the structure are asked to email Indigo, the owner of the structure, at [e-mail] with the subject header of “265 Laurier Ave” for updates.

Slater Street is closed between Bank and O’Connor streets to vehicles and pedestrians.

Drivers with vehicles parked in the area will face delays, police say.