The current design includes two vaults, basically making the Central Stairs a “bridge,” as opposed to the more traditional staircase design where stairs sit on ground. These pictures show the current issues: the steps have shifted, making them uneven; the brick walls are separating, cracking, losing their caulking; the granite capstones also are affected. Much of these problems are directly caused by water intrusion – which can be seen with the efflorescence (the white stains).
