Detroit Wastewater Partners (DWP) awarded BEI Associates, Inc. and our subconsultants, DLZ of Michigan, Rhodes and Associates, Inc. and NTH Consultants, a consultant engineering services contract for the rehabilitation of the existing parking structure at the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).  The existing parking structure, constructed in 1978, is a precast concrete structure with a capacity of 340 vehicles.  The BEI team was assigned the goal of providing structural, architectural, electrical, mechanical, security and traffic flow improvements.  These improvements include improving the structural integrity and hence extending the life of this structure, providing adequate surveillance to improve safety, modify traffic circulation to isolate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, improve the illumination levels, replace/refurnish the elevators, repair, clean and paint stairways, and replace damaged doors.

Architectural work included developing a coating system to protect exterior surface panels from scaling and have this coating system with existing architecture of the surrounding buildings.  Staircases and stairwells were cleaned, painted and repaired as required.  Existing elevators were replaced with a more efficient and effective system, and traffic and informational signs were reworked.  Civil/site work included repaving and reworking traffic circulation around the structure.  New entrance drives to the plant area adjacent to the structure were developed to include access gates, card swipes, intercoms and security cameras.  Adjacent parking lots were repaved and elevations adjusted to improve storm drainage.  Turnstiles and other security measures were added to allow safe and secure pedestrian access into the plant.  The guardhouse adjacent to this parking structure was upgraded with a new HVAC system and security monitoring equipment.  Structural repairs of slabs and beams included crack sealing, replacement of joint sealants, changing and painting of steel angles and plates, cleaning the decks and providing a protective seal coat over traffic areas.  Supported slabs were checked for delamination and a chloride analysis was done to confirm concentration levels did not exceed safe levels.  Electrical improvements included providing more effective metal halide light fixtures, replacing lighted signs, replacement of conduit and electrical boxes, and replacing emergency lighting.  A more permanent perimeter flood lighting was provided at the roof level.

A security system including surveillance camera, monitoring consoles, intercoms and card reader access for pedestrians and vehicles was also provided.  CCTV components also included video verification/digital recording.  This new system has been integrated into the existing DWSD security system operation.  A key element to the successful completion of this project was the requirement to interface the construction repair work with on-going use of the facility by plant personnel.  The BEI team developed a work plan to allow this process to happen.