Shielding cars from the elements is a selling point for parking garages.

For the Clark Street facility in downtown Warren, however, the elements are invading and landing on some cars.

Andrew Edwards, employed by TEi Struthers Wells on Clark Street, was less than pleased Sunday when he found the rear portion of his car parked on the second level covered in rust which had dripped from the ceiling above.

But, this was not the first time the rust has appeared.

"It's been going on for probably over a year," Edwards said Tuesday, adding that there has been an increase since this past winter.

Dick Schuler, another TEi Struthers Wells employee, said he gave up his spot in the parking garage because of the rust.

"I gave up my parking space last year for that very reason," he said.

Edwards has since moved his car to another, less rusty, spot on the third level. According to Schuler, Edwards was not the first.

"At least four people here at Struthers have moved and some other are considering it," he said.

Edwards said he has contacted the city manager's officer and e-mailed photos of the rust on his car, but has not heard back. He said he is also considering contacting other city officials, such as Mayor Mark Phillips.

Edwards assumed the rust drips are the result of winter maintenance products not being cleaned up.

"They haven't cleaned the parking garage since they put it up," he said.

"It's just gotten worse," Edwards added.

City Manager Jim Nelles issued the following statement through his secretary, "We are aware of the situation and the City is investigating the matter."