AWARD OF MERIT: Parking Structures Category

WATER STREET PARKADE RESTORATION

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Submitted by Read Jones Christoffersen, Ltd.

The Water Street Parkade is located in the historic Gastown area of Vancouver, which houses a collection of 19th century buildings and early 20th century warehouses.

In the early 2000s, the City of Vancouver decided to redevelop and renovate the Water Street Parkade. This redevelopment involved the restoration of the existing parking decks, adding 2-1/2 levels of new structure above the existing structure, a seismic upgrade of the existing facility, a new façade along Water Street incorporating offices, vehicular and pedestrian connections to the new Cordova Street Parkade across the lane, and the conversion of the ground floor and basement level to a historical theater experience.

The original seven-level, 580-car parkade was constructed in 1971 and, as such, did not meet current seismic and durability standards. An extensive parking structure condition evaluation was performed in 1999. The measured delaminations represented approximately 18% of the overall suspended slab area. Thirty-two concrete samples were tested for water-soluble chloride content. Testing confirmed that all 32 samples contained chlorides in sufficient quantities to promote corrosion.

Due to the fast-track nature of the project, the repair program was undertaken simultaneously with the addition and seismic upgrade projects. In addition, the parkade remained open to the general public during the project, requiring extensive coordination between the trades.

The project was successfully completed on time and the structure is now a landmark in the Gastown area of Vancouver.

Owner
City of Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Project Engineer/
Designer
Read Jones
Christoffersen, Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Repair Contractor
CCD Structural Services, Inc.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Material Suppliers/
Manufacturers
Duochem
New Westminster,
British Columbia, Canada

Ocean Concrete
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada