S. Fifth Ave Underground Parking Structure Project
Construction continues!
The DDA is underway with a new core area redevelopment project that will include new water mains, electricity capacity, approximately 600 new underground parking spaces, a new alley, midblock street, and extensive pedestrian improvements. This infrastructure investment is intended to support future downtown redevelopment and the continuing growth of Ann Arbor District Library activities and use.
- Construction Webcam
- Weekly Progress Reports
- Green Parking Council Demonstration site
- Construction Logistics
- Interesting Facts
- Project Team
- Contact our Project Managers
Construction Webcam:
Watch the construction progress via a still-shot webcam, updated with photos throughout the day:
Weekly Progress Reports:
- Christman Weekly Project Update 04/16/11 (pdf)
- Christman Site Logistics Update 04/16/11 (pdf)
- Job Creation (pdf) - This project will have employed many hundreds of people by the time it is completed. The graph below shows the significant impact of this construction to our local economy.
Green Council Demonstration Site:
The Green Parking Council has awarded the S. Fifth Ave Underground Parking Structure with a Demonstrator Site Status as they work to develop standards for the Green Garage Certification Program. The Demonstrator Site Status is awarded to those facilities, like the S. Fifth Ave project, whose operators have committed to making an effort towards sustainability. The DDA is striving to minimize the environmental impacts of this project, both during construction and after the parking structure is operational. For instance, during construction the excavated sand is being used as part of the structural concrete mix and all demolished concrete, asphalt and wood from the site has been recycled. When operational, the new structure will include nearly two dozen electric charging stations for electric cars and energy-saving lights that can cast lower light levels in off-peak periods. As a result, this parking facility is now part of a unique program designed to standardize sustainable initiatives within the parking industry.
The Green Parking Council (GPC) is a not-for-profit organization providing leadership and oversight for the green conversion of parking facilities to sustainable, environmentally responsible assets. They developed the Demonstrator Site Program as an evaluative tool to initiate the process towards Green Garage Certification. Now that the Underground Parking Structure has achieved Demonstration Site Status, it will be among the first facilities eligible for Green Garage Certification.
Construction Logistics:
The DDA is very aware that this work is taking place near the Ann Arbor District Library, existing businesses and residents. As a result, construction is being coordinated to minimize negative impacts to adjacent properties and the general public. The DDA has instructed its contractors that construction is not to begin before 7:00 a.m. and construction activities will be required to comply with the City’s Noise Control Ordinance. An on-site manager will be present at all times during scheduled work hours to respond to any construction issues or concerns.
300 Block of S. Fifth Avenue Temporarily Closed Due to Construction
The new underground parking structure will extend under S. Fifth Avenue, and as part of the construction, the block of S. Fifth Avenue between E. Liberty and E. William Streets will remain closed until spring of 2012. A traffic detour was developed that minimizes the impact of this street closure to emergency vehicles, non-motorized transportation, access to downtown businesses and institutions, and downtown special events.Pedestrian access to the businesses located on the 300 block of S. Fifth Avenue will remain open throughout construction. Pedestrian access to the Post Office, AATA Blake Transit Center, and Ann Arbor District Library will also remain available throughout construction. Click here to download a detailed street closure outline.
Detailed S. Fifth Ave Street Closure Information (pdf)
Project Traffic Coordination (pdf)
Interesting Facts about the South Fifth Avenue Parking Structure Project
- This is the first additional public parking structure constructed in downtown Ann Arbor since the early 1980’s. In the intervening twenty five years, more than 2.4 million square feet of new private developments have taken place downtown (doesn’t include UM constructions), and most of this new private development relies on the public parking system to serve their residents, tenants, and visitors.
- Approximately 43,000 cubic yards will have been excavated from the site to make way for the new structure. In addition to using site materials as part of the project’s structural concrete mix, excavated sands have been used in a variety of Ann Arbor and nearby construction projects.
- The new structure will include provisions for an underground connection to the Ann Arbor District Library, and parking spaces near this connection point will be managed to encourage AADL patron parking.
- The new midblock street - Library Lane – has been designed so that it can function as a through street, with safe drop off/pick up locations in front of the Library for families and school buses.
Project Team
The Underground Parking Structure project team includes the following members:
- Michael Ortlieb, Project Manager Carl Walker, Inc.
- Carl Luckenbach, Luckenbach Ziegelman Architects
- Doug Kelbaugh, Kelbaugh Associates
- Deb Cooper, Beckett Raeder Inc
- Francine Alexander, Alexander Resources Consulting, LLC
- Pat Podges, Construction Manager, Christman Co
Contact Our Project Managers
In addition to a Construction Site Manager, DDA Senior Project Managers will be on site during scheduled work hours and available by phone to answer questions or address concerns:
adrian@parkavenueconsultant.com
Mike Bergren: cell phone number: 734/323-5618
mbergren@parkavenueconsultant.com