AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Parking Structures Category

Temple Street Parking Garage

New Haven, Connecticut

Submitted by National Restoration Systems, Inc.

The restoration of the Temple Street parking garage, a very unique concrete structure, was an extremely challenging project. Paul Rudolph designed the Temple Street Garage. Reminiscent of the port of New Haven’s origins; his design combined flowing parabolic curved overhead and vertical concrete surfaces and a unique wooden shiplap texture to convey the stately feel of classic sailing ships.

The New Haven Parking Authority opened this “state-of-the-art” structure in 1962. The ten story split-level multi-use parking facility was originally created as the core for a transformation of the downtown business district. Spanning George Street the structure incorporates 1280 parking spaces and tens of thousands of square feet of retail space. Nothing was spared in Temple Street’s design or construction. 

Although concrete deterioration had been periodically addressed, the repairs often did not maintain the look or feel of the original structure. The structural concrete repairs for this renovation were detailed incorporating the unique textures and curves of the original structure. Shoring and forms were designed and custom fabricated to match these surfaces. The deficiencies of past alterations were rectified with these extensive concrete repairs. Hydrodemolition was used to prepare the supported levels of the garage for concrete repairs. An opening was cut within the parking garage’s decks and a new elevator tower was constructed. Today the entire structure meets current standards including those of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The restoration was completed over a two-year period at a cost of over eight million dollars. Phases were limited to 200 spaces during the day and 500 at night, ensuring that the parking garage remained in service during the entire project. The completion of this renovation has once again made the Temple Street Garage the flagship of downtown New Haven.

Owner
New Haven Parking Authority
New Haven, Connecticut

Project Engineer/
Designer
Desman Associates
Farmington, Connecticut

Repair Contractor
National Restoration
Systems, Inc.
Rolling Meadows, Illinois