The View From Marina Towers Not So Great These Days

(CBS) -- What if you had some of the best views in the city, but you couldn't take advantage of them?

That's the reality for some residents living in the iconic Marina City.

CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reports.

The Marina Towers are clearly a Chicago icon.

"This is the best time of year to use the balcony," resident Lucy Wenk says.

But she won't be out there much longer.

A recent city inspection of the towers found several exterior violations. With the balcony railings in bad shape, management has chosen to close some of them during repairs.

"If you can't use the balcony it's kind of useless to live here," Wenk says.

Structural engineer Allen Gold, who is not involved with Marina City, says the fix could go a long way in preventing a catastrophe.

Marina Tower management says the closures are necessary.

"While this means some residents will have limited access to their balconies for portions of this year, the repairs will ensure the continued safety and enjoyment of this iconic design feature," management said in a statement.

The repairs are expected to be wrapped up this year.