INC NEWS - Chapel Hill Street Garage Vehicle Weight Restrictions

[Blalock, Amy]

Message from City Manager Patrick W. Baker        

 

Chapel Hill Street Garage Vehicle Weight Restrictions 

 

The condition of the City-owned Chapel Hill Street Garage, located
across from City Hall and the U.S. Post Office, has been covered in the
news media lately.  Repairs are needed, and as advised by a professional
engineering firm that examined the garage for safety, the City is
limiting the use of Levels 2-8 by vehicles over 4,000 pounds to ensure
overall garage safety.

 

In August 2007, as advised by the engineering firm, the City posted
signs restricting parking for vehicles over 4,000 pounds on Levels 2-8.
I want you to know that we are continuing to follow their
recommendations closely, because the safety of the people who park in
the garage is our top priority.  

 

To help you better understand this project, here are answers to
pertinent questions you may have about the Chapel Hill Street Garage.

 

1.      Is the Chapel Hill Street Garage in danger of immediate collapse
because of the needed repairs?  

According to professional engineers who conducted an extensive review of
the structural aspects of the garage, the garage is not in immediate
danger of collapse.  However, extensive repairs are needed so that the
garage can be fully utilized without restriction.  That is why the City
Council has granted approval to begin repairs in mid-December.

 

2.      What is being done to make the garage safe?  

Repairs will begin in mid-December and will last through May 2008,
depending on weather and other factors.  During that time, the City will
continue to limit parking to weight-restricted vehicles on Levels 2-8.  

 

Since August, we have been actively managing the number of heavy
vehicles entering Levels 2-8 to keep the weight threshold in line with
the engineering firm's recommendations.  Heavy vehicles over the 4,000
pound weight limit must park in the ground level parking spaces or in
the lot.  Basement parking is also available for heavier vehicles.

 

3.      If I drive a pick-up truck, SUV or minivan, where should I park?


Vehicles under the weight limit of 4,000 pounds, such as cars, mini-vans
and compact pick-up trucks/SUVs (examples include Ford Ranger, Chevy
S-10 and Ford Escape), may park in the garage on any available level.
Vehicles over the 4,000 pound weight limit, such as full-size cargo vans
and half-ton or larger pick-up trucks/SUVs (examples include Ford F-150,
Chevy Suburban and Ford Explorer), cannot park inside the garage.  

 

Parking options for vehicles over the 4,000 pound weight limit include
the lot beside the garage as well as other downtown garages and lots.
For hourly parkers, Central Parking will direct motorists to the closest
garages, lots and on-street parking to accommodate their parking needs.


 

4.      Where can I park if the garage is full during repairs? 

For monthly parkers, Central Parking will provide options at the Chapel
Hill Street Garage or other downtown garages and lots.  For hourly
parkers, parking in the lot beside the garage is an option if spaces are
available.  If not, Central Parking will direct motorists to the closest
garages, lots and on-street parking to accommodate their parking needs.


 

5.      Did the City know about the problems with the deck prior to
media coverage?  

Funds to pay for major repairs to City-owned parking garages were part
of the voter-approved 2005 bond package.  Repairs to the Chapel Hill
Street Garage were slated for next year.  

 

However, earlier this year, the City contracted a professional
engineering firm to examine the garage.  Upon reviewing their
recommendations in August, the City followed the engineer's
recommendations to immediately impose weight restrictions on vehicles
entering the upper levels of the garage.  According to the engineers, by
limiting the weight of the vehicles using the garage, the garage can be
used safely now and during the repairs.  

 

We will continue to act responsibly and inform our citizens who park in
this garage of the conditions and parking alternatives.  If you have any
additional questions regarding parking restrictions during the repair
process, contact Central Parking directly at (919) 680-2481.

 

 

 

 

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