MONROE - The downtown parking ramp needs $1.4 million for repairs within the next year, according to a city-authorized condition evaluation released Monday, Aug. 6. More than $1.3 million of that is needed to correct structural problems.
But razing the structure may be the best answer, according to the report.
"Based on the poor condition of the structure and being underutilized, it may be more cost effective to raze the structure and have a surface parking lot," the report said.
City Engineer Al Gerber distributed the report by Arnold & O'Sheridan, Inc. (A&O), an engineering consulting firm from Madison, at a meeting of the Board of Public Works in advance of discussion and possible action at a later meeting. No discussion or action was taken at the meeting Monday.
A&O performed the comprehensive survey to establish the present condition of the structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection system of the concrete structure.
In its conclusions, A&O recommended the deficiencies be repaired in the near future to help minimize continued deterioration and more costly repairs, if the city decided to keep and maintain the structure. Another $145,000 would be needed within the next five years to make additional repairs.
A&O determined that the ramp's footings and columns have the capacity to support two additional parking levels; however, it does not have the adequate structural elements to resist "a seismic force," an earthquake, now required under the International Building Code for building designs. To upgrade the ramp for such an expansion would take an extra $257,000 for braced panel walls, before adding two levels of parking at an estimated cost of $2.33 million.
To tear the ramp out, fill in the lot and pave it with asphalt is estimated to cost $600,000, according to the report.
A&O estimated maintenance costs usually run in the range of 35 to 45 cents per square foot. The Monroe municipal parking ramp is currently three levels at about 25,000 square feet each. The city can expect to pay about $26,270 to $33,780 per year for maintenance, after repairs are made.
The last condition evaluation was performed in 1998. A&O observed that "very little of the recommended repairs have been performed on the structure other than minor patching of unsound concrete and filling of 'potholes,'" since that study.
The City of Monroe Common Council in April voted unanimously to hire A&O to evaluate the 46-year-old parking structure at 1501 11th St. in downtown Monroe, at a cost of $14,600. A&O was hired to prepare plans and specifications for structural repairs and estimate the costs, as well as generate a long-term maintenance plan for the parking structure.
But razing the structure may be the best answer, according to the report.
"Based on the poor condition of the structure and being underutilized, it may be more cost effective to raze the structure and have a surface parking lot," the report said.
City Engineer Al Gerber distributed the report by Arnold & O'Sheridan, Inc. (A&O), an engineering consulting firm from Madison, at a meeting of the Board of Public Works in advance of discussion and possible action at a later meeting. No discussion or action was taken at the meeting Monday.
A&O performed the comprehensive survey to establish the present condition of the structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection system of the concrete structure.
In its conclusions, A&O recommended the deficiencies be repaired in the near future to help minimize continued deterioration and more costly repairs, if the city decided to keep and maintain the structure. Another $145,000 would be needed within the next five years to make additional repairs.
A&O determined that the ramp's footings and columns have the capacity to support two additional parking levels; however, it does not have the adequate structural elements to resist "a seismic force," an earthquake, now required under the International Building Code for building designs. To upgrade the ramp for such an expansion would take an extra $257,000 for braced panel walls, before adding two levels of parking at an estimated cost of $2.33 million.
To tear the ramp out, fill in the lot and pave it with asphalt is estimated to cost $600,000, according to the report.
A&O estimated maintenance costs usually run in the range of 35 to 45 cents per square foot. The Monroe municipal parking ramp is currently three levels at about 25,000 square feet each. The city can expect to pay about $26,270 to $33,780 per year for maintenance, after repairs are made.
The last condition evaluation was performed in 1998. A&O observed that "very little of the recommended repairs have been performed on the structure other than minor patching of unsound concrete and filling of 'potholes,'" since that study.
The City of Monroe Common Council in April voted unanimously to hire A&O to evaluate the 46-year-old parking structure at 1501 11th St. in downtown Monroe, at a cost of $14,600. A&O was hired to prepare plans and specifications for structural repairs and estimate the costs, as well as generate a long-term maintenance plan for the parking structure.