Lower Manhattan's Pace University and New York Stock Exchange were near the parking facility.
University evacuated surrounding dorms and classrooms after the collapse.
the structure fell.
York City Fire Department chief of fire operations, said one person died on the scene and four more were transferred to local hospitals.
Due to unstable conditions, firefighters withdrew from the structure. still searching the building because "the building was continuing to collapse."
.'Unstable' building
Authorities said structural flaws caused the collapse, not foul play.
"We have no reason to believe that this was anything other than a structural collapse," City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters.
The New York City Department of Buildings' online records showed 45 violations, 24 since 2003.
The 2003 complaint noted "ceiling slab cracks exist" and "defective concrete with exposed rear cracks." The violation cost $800 (€728).
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