Part of a parking garage in Mount Vernon has been closed as safety concerns force crews to remove vehicles from the structure.

The city shut down the top level of Lot 8 at the Sidney Avenue garage after a hole was discovered between the top deck and the level below. That section is now fenced off.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says 12 vehicles, without active registration or plates, were deemed abandoned and towed on Tuesday.

An assistant manager at Laporte Apartments, which sits next to the garage, said two tenants have reported their cars missing.

Officials have not released a timeline for repairs.