Following this week's heavy storm activity, a piece of fiberglass facing had fallen off the building. Also, an odd "bubble" appeared in the façade, prompting Cuyahoga County officials to evacuate more than 100 workers -- and its 911 Response Center and Emergency Communications System -- from the five-story building.
Within an hour after the evacuation, dozens of people joined firefighters, police officers, and news crews gathered across part of Euclid Avenue to watch the odd, fluctuating bulge in the Sterling's side.
One witness said it looked like the building was "breathing".
Since then, inspectors say that bulge isn't structurally dangerous or threatening, and staff and operations have resumed.
Just prior to the scare, the county had decided to end its lease, as part of a larger plan to consolidate government offices.