AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Parking Structures Category

Repair and Strengthening of White Flint Parking Structure

North Bethesda, Maryland

Submitted by Structural Preservation Systems, Inc.

White Flint, located in North Bethesda, Maryland, was built in the mid-1970's and is considered one of the premier "upscale" shopping centers in the Washington DC area. It has both on-grade parking as well as a 600,000 square foot parking structure to support the high level of customer activity. This project involved the repairs and strengthening of the parking structure, which is connected to the shopping center by means of pedestrian bridges and walkways. The project presented a unique opportunity to the owner, engineer and repair contractor to employ a large variety of repair strategies to solve difficult design, construction and operational issues.

This comprehensive structural evaluation and repair program addressed the repair issues and also provided for extensive strengthening of elements that were deficient due to deterioration or the recognition to meet current design criteria. The repair design and execution process was accomplished by developing an effective team approach that required open communication, flexibility and imagination between the owner, engineer and contractor. The result of this cooperation was a repair program that met the owner's objectives while maintaining scheduling and budgetary requirements.

Owner
White Flint Limited Partnership,
Lerner Enterprises
North Bethesda, Maryland

Project Engineer/
Designer
Theobald Bufano
Associates, PC
Washington, D.C.

Repair Contractor
Structural Preservation Systems, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland

Material Suppliers
VSL (Post-Tensioning System)
Springfield, Virginia

Neogard—A Division of
Jones-Blair (Membrane)
Dallas, Texas