Some parking decks around the Centre Region, which encompasses State College and its surrounding communities, may be getting a check-up early next year, after new codes go into effect in January.

The announcement of these changes is definitely welcome after the top deck of a nearby apartment building's parking lot collapsed into itself and crushed or damaged several occupants' cars. No one was hurt, but many people walked away with angry questions.

The Sept. 6 accident outside Pepper Mill Condominiums, 710 S. Atherton St., prompted regional code enforcers to determine what could be done or inspected to prevent such an accident from happening again.

The official causes of the collapse haven't been announced, but Greg Mussi, director of the area code enforcement office, has said several factors probably contributed, including the age of the structure and the repaving that had been done during previous months.

Parking-deck managers will have to get permits before beginning any major alterations akin to the resurfacing of the Pepper Mill structure.

The code office should be commended for working quickly to update this area of concern. We hope inspectors will be ready in a few months to confirm the stability of places where we can leave cars, and can safely assume they'll be in one piece when we get back.