Walker Restoration Consultants recently did some first aid on the Duke University Parking Garage II in Durham, North Carolina. We’re honored to announce that this project won First Place in the Parking Structure Renovated/Rehabilitated Category from the Carolinas Parking Association.

The Structure

  The garage contains 2,752 spaces and is an 8-level cast-in-place concrete parking structure. It serves both visitors and employees of the Duke University Medical Center. The first five levels were constructed in 1977, and the additional 3 levels were added in a vertical expansion in 1988.  

Triage: Observations & Findings

While Walker Restoration’s condition appraisal and evaluation of the garage showed no need for immediate repairs, the structure required plenty of work:

• Cracking
• Delamination
• Reinforcing
• FRP Repairs

Recommended Repairs

Walker Restoration recommended several repairs to bring new life to the structure, including concrete patching, addressing broken PT tendon, replacement of expansion joints and sealant, application of a penetration sealer, FRP installation for beam strengthening, renovating deteriorated stone retaining wall, and installation of new interior guardrails.

The Finished Product

Several repairs were done on the structure including:

• Replaced entire electrical system, including addition of new generator for emergency power
• Upgraded all lighting with new fixtures and daylight harvesting
• Replaced all parking equipment specific to user groups to decrease wait times
• Replaced and added pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signage
• Painted overhead surfaces and pedestrian cores to increase light effectiveness and enhance pedestrian wayfinding
• Modified function to enable nesting capabilities, increase vehicular flow, and provide additional spaces.

Highlights:

North East Entry/Exit

Reconfigured entry/exit with new signage and equipment.

 

Pay Stations

New pay stations were added in the garage, hospital, and in the tunnel connector. Grace periods vary based on distance from pay station to exit.

 

Concrete Restoration: Expansion Joints

 

Architectural Enhancements

Painted ceilings covering 1.2 million sq. ft. (27 Acres.)

 

Renovated Pedestrian Cores

Better lighting, pedestrian wayfinding cues, and access to emergency call stations.

Electrical System Replacement

The existing system was outdated. The new system includes embedded conduit sealed, new surface mount, and on-site emergency power.

New Lighting

Performed mockup. All lighting was replaced to LED, including 1200+ parking, roof, towers, and exterior.

For more information on this project, please reach out to Todd Lohman, PE.