University of North Carolina Craige Parking Deck Expansion

Teamed with project leader, Little Diversified Architectural Consultants of Durham, N.C., WGI will be a key player in determining how the complex vertical expansion project will be accomplished. The existing 1,475-space Craige Parking Deck, located near the intersection of Manning Drive and Paul Hardin, is a key parking location for residents, commuters, heath affairs personnel, and special events. The vertical expansion will add four levels of additional parking, totaling 927 new spaces.

Complicating matters is the fact that the existing parking deck was not designed for vertical expansion and was built in an era when seismic design was not a requirement. The existing structure will be significantly upgraded to handle the additional loading and will have to be brought up to current seismic design standards. Column strengthening, foundation underpinning, and seismic lateral bracing will be required using a variety of engineering retrofit technologies. Construction is scheduled for completion in August 2014.

Project Highlights:

• Stairs will be extended vertically and new elevators will be added