Part of a downtown Hagerstown alley was closed Aug. 11 after city officials were alerted to loose bricks falling from one of the neighboring buildings, according to a city announcement.

To keep pedestrians and vehicles safe, the city closed the alley between West Washington Street and Wareham Alley around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The temporarily closed alley runs north-south and is in the first block of West Washington Street.

The alley is between the Bryan Centre and the Hamilton Hotel building, which is at the northeast corner of Jonathan Street.

Barriers, including caution tape, were put up to discourage access to the closed alley.

As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, 2026, a part of the alley between West Washington Street and Wareham Alley is closed to pedestrians and vehicles after bricks fell from one of the neighboring buildings. Photo taken Aug. 12.
As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, 2026, a part of the alley between West Washington Street and Wareham Alley is closed to pedestrians and vehicles after bricks fell from one of the neighboring buildings. Photo taken Aug. 12.

The closure will remain in effect until city officials believe the problem is satisfactorily addressed, according to an Aug. 11 city release.

Some bricks fell from the parapet wall at 82 W. Washington St., according to Paul Fulk, the city's neighborhood services manager.

That building houses the Bryan Centre and is six stories high.

Fulk said a notice was issued for repairs to be made.

This map provided by the City of Hagerstown shows where a downtown alley, between Wareham Alley and West Washington Street, has been temporarily closed due to falling bricks.
This map provided by the City of Hagerstown shows where a downtown alley, between Wareham Alley and West Washington Street, has been temporarily closed due to falling bricks.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown alley closed after bricks fall from parapet