Technique worries ironworkers By WILLIAM H. SOKOLIC, Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ
Union officials question use of filigree method at Tropicana
Last month, Willie Lemalu tied reinforced steel cables together on the seventh floor of the Tropicana's parking garage - in the same area of the structure that collapsed almost a year ago, killing four workers and injuring 20.
The thought of that tragedy is still fresh in his mind. 'I'm a little leery about this,' the ironworker from Cherry Hill said.
What he's leery about is the technique being used to build the 10-story garage. Called the filigree method, it involves building concrete panels in a factory, shipping them to the site and erecting the panels on shoring. Another layer of reinforced concrete is then placed on top of the precast panels.