  A phenomenological model of the Landau type forms the basis for a study of
elastic distortions near the spin-Peierls transition $T_c$ in $CuGeO_3$. The
atomic displacements proposed by Hirota {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf
73}, 736 (1994)] are accounted for by the model which includes linear coupling
between $Cu$ and $O$ distortions. $Cu$ displacements are seen to be responsible
for anomalies in the elastic properties {\it at} $T_c$, whereas incipient $O$
distortions give rise to temperature dependence below $T_c$. A discussion of
possible critical behavior is also made.
