Atlanta, GA
Inspection report: Balconies, railings on Atlanta skyscraper at risk of failing
Inspection report: Balconies, railings on Atlanta skyscraper at risk of failing
Balconies on a Northwest Atlanta apartment complex and condominium are at risk of falling apart and injuring someone standing on them or under them, according to an inspection report.
The 72-page document is based on a visual inspection performed in January and February of this year.
In that report, an inspector said he saw evidence that indicates hundreds of balconies at Seven88 West Midtown are unsafe because they could break apart, and the railing could fail.
The condos are located at 788 W. Marietta St. in Northwest Atlanta.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
One balcony has already failed there this year, according to an email property management sent to residents in January.
The email said, “Earlier today, a portion of a balcony attached to a unit on the 13th floor detached from the building. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.”
The letter warned residents to stay off the balconies until inspectors could check each one.
“Yeah, they told us not to be on them,” said Jacob Tiger. He rents at Seven88.
Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco obtained City of Atlanta inspection reports that show a third party inspected them when the building was built in 2020.
This year appears to be the first year balcony concerns have surfaced.
“Apparently, there’s been some cracks. I don’t even know too much of it,” said Tiger.
That’s a common response Channel 2’s team heard when talking to residents there. Many said they have not received an update from property management on the inspection reports or when they can use the balconies they pay for.
So, Francisco read the engineer’s visual inspection report from earlier this year.
According to the document, out of 279 units at the complex, 221 balconies exhibited problems such as: surface cracking, cracks on corners and under guard attachments, concrete breaking off, deep holes and crack on underside, grout deteriorating and exposed rebar.
The inspection report said some balconies are safe to walk on, even with damage. However, the engineer warned that there should be no jumping, heavy objects or leaning on railings. He also wrote that 42 balconies are so concerning, no one or nothing should be on them, and people in the first floor units should not stand under them.
“We would highly recommend restricting usage to only opening the doors,” said the inspector.
Additionally, the inspector said all lower-level units on the first floor should refrain from using their exterior spaces due to the potential hazard of falling debris.
When Channel 2 went to the complex to find out when residents can expect a fix, the property manager provided a number to an attorney representing the property.
TRENDING STORIES:
That attorney did not return calls for comment.
Residents want to know why this is happening and to find out if it could have been prevented. They also want to know how the property owner will fix the balconies.
“I just care about my safety,” said Tiger.
The inspector who wrote the 2025 report said no comment beyond his findings were in the document. He pointed Channel 2 to an attorney who did not respond to calls for further information.
Channel 2 reached out to the City of Atlanta’s inspector who approved the high rise in 2020 to find out why this could be happening. We are waiting to hear back.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Atlanta, GA
Golden State takes home win streak into matchup with Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (21-18, eighth in the Western Conference)
San Francisco; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Golden State will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Warriors face Atlanta.
The Warriors are 13-5 on their home court. Golden State is 9-12 against opponents over .500.
The Hawks have gone 12-10 away from home. Atlanta ranks second in the league scoring 17.6 fast break points per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the Hawks averaging 3.9.
The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Warriors allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jimmy Butler III is averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Stephen Curry is averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 assists over the past 10 games.
Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hawks. Jalen Johnson is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 7-3, averaging 120.1 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.4 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points per game.
Hawks: 4-6, averaging 116.9 points, 42.4 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.1 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Seth Curry: out (thigh).
Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis: out (achilles), Zaccharie Risacher: out (knee), CJ McCollum: out (quad), N’Faly Dante: out for season (knee), Corey Kispert: out (hamstring).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Atlanta, GA
Flood watch expands into metro Atlanta ahead of severe storm threat
Friday evening forecast: Rain train en route
A powerful weather system is currently moving through North Georgia, replacing unseasonable record warmth with heavy rain and potential severe storms. The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking a “rain train” of moisture that could dump over 4 inches of rain in some areas, prompting active flood warnings across the region.
ATLANTA – A powerful weather front is moving into metro Atlanta, prompting officials to expand flood watches as “wave-after-wave” of heavy rain threatens to saturate the region through Saturday.
The FOX 5 Storm Team warn that storm totals could reach four inches in some areas, with isolated spots in North Georgia potentially seeing up to six inches.
Flood Watch in northwest Georgia
What we know:
A Flood Watch is currently in effect through Saturday evening for a large portion of North Georgia. The region is bracing for widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Some areas could see locally higher amounts reaching up to 6 inches before a cold front moves through Saturday afternoon to end the threat.
“The rain train is wide open and here it comes,” said FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley. “We got waves of rain tonight and storms. They’re going to be with us tonight and right on through Saturday.”
In the northwest, the watch includes Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield counties.
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST BY DOWNLOADING THE FREE FOX 5 STORM TEAM APP AND FOLLOWING @FOX5STORMTEAM ON X
Flooding risk, high winds
Local perspective:
Thunderstorms expected overnight and into early Saturday morning are a primary concern.
The primary concern for North Georgia remains damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding. While the threat of severe weather is lower Friday night, the FOX 5 Storm Team expects conditions to change as the front arrives Saturday morning.
“Flooding [is] possible in Northwest Georgia with that severe threat,” Chandley said. “I expect we may see some of those [flash flood warnings] across North Georgia late tonight and early tomorrow because that ground is going to be saturated.”
A Level 1 “marginal risk” for severe storms has been issued for most of the area, though regions near Columbus face a slightly higher “slight risk.” Forecasters noted that while the atmosphere currently lacks the instability for massive thunderstorms, a “brief, spin-up tornado” cannot be ruled out on Saturday.
What’s next:
Sunday: Windy and much colder, with highs struggling to reach the 40s and 50s.
Monday: Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s by Monday morning.
The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team.
Atlanta, GA
Serious crashes block Atlanta’s Downtown Connector, Lawrenceville Highway early Friday
ATLANTA – A major crash involving eight vehicles shut down all southbound lanes of the Downtown Connector early Friday morning, causing significant traffic delays near University Avenue.
What we know:
The crash was reported on Interstate 75/Interstate 85 just before University Avenue, with injuries confirmed at the scene. Traffic was being diverted off the connector at Interstate 20, Exit 247, while the entrance ramp from I-20 to the connector southbound was also closed. Drivers were advised to use Exit 56A to McDaniel Street or alternate routes including Metropolitan Parkway or Interstate 285. The scene was cleared and lanes began reopening around 6:30 a.m. FOX 5 Atlanta is waiting for a final report on what happened.
A separate serious injury crash was also reported in DeKalb County on Lawrenceville Highway westbound between Montreal Road and Interstate 285. All lanes were blocked, and authorities said the incident involved a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Both investigations were ongoing. The scene was cleared and lanes reopened around 6:45 a.m., according to Georgia Department of Transportation.
-
Detroit, MI7 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology4 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Dallas, TX2 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Iowa4 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Delaware2 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Health6 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska4 days agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska