DETROIT (WWJ) - A bridge at the decaying old Packard Plant has collapsed.
Photos and video from the scene show a large portion of the historic structure, which had connected two buildings over E. Grand Boulevard at Concord on Detroit's east side, blocking the roadway.
"You could see it was like, caving in because it's so old," said Ron Dickerson, who works as a security guard at the massive, long-abandoned property.
Dickerson told WWJ Newsradio 950's Jon Hewett he saw some bricks falling from the bridge before it completely crumbled. "When I blocked the street off down here on this end, I turned around and I seen it coming down," he said, adding, "I'm glad I wasn't up underneath it."
No injuries were reported. Police were on the scene, late Wednesday afternoon, having cordoned off the area with caution tape.
Packard Club member Marvin King of Northville, who stopped by to see what had happened, explained the iconic overpass was used to bring luxury car bodies over the boulevard during the plant's heyday.
Crushed, he told Hewett: "It's like losing an old friend."
The site has been undergoing renovations for planned redevelopment to include offices, shops and restaurants.
While a winter storm dropped a layer of ice on the city Tuesday night, it's unclear if that's what caused the collapse.
Joe Kopietz , an attorney representing developer Fernando Palazuelo of Arte Express, said they were saddened to hear what happened.
"Obviously it's unfortunate to lose such a visible piece of the Packard Plant," he told Hewett, "but Mr. Plazuelo has reiterated that if there's any way possible we can work out an arrangement with the city, he would like to see it reconstructed very soon."
Purchased in 2014 by Palazuelo, the body shop has been under reconstruction including a roof replacement.
The rest of the site, according to Kopietz, remains owned by the city of Detroit which issued the following statement:
"Our first priority is to ensure the area is made safe for the public and the roadway is reopened as soon as possible," the city said. "The City is taking the lead on clearing debris and inspectors from the Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department and Detroit Building Authority are on scene to assess this situation. We are making plans to bring in a contractor to remove the debris as quickly as possible."
Wednesday night, the city said there was no timeline yet for when the roadway would reopen.