Memphis International Airport Ground Transportation Center, Tennessee
Retrofit Team
Project Management, Par king Consultant and Structural Engineer: Walker Parking Consultants Inc., Tampa, Fla.
Concept Architect: OGCB Inc., Memphis, Tenn.
Electrical Engineer of Record: LRK Inc., Memphis
Architect of Record: Self + Tucker Architects, Memphis
Program Manager: Parsons Transportation Group Inc., Memphis
General Contractor: Walker Restoration Consultants Inc., Tampa
Restoration Engineering: Flintco Inc., Memphis
Graphics and Wayfinding: Clark Dixon Associates, Memphis
Roadways/Civil Engineering: Pickering Firm Inc., Memphis
Landscape Architect: Ritchie Smith Associates, Memphis
Materials
Fabric Shade Structure Manufacturer: FabriTec Structures
Fan Manufacturer: Big Ass Fans
The Retrofit
Pedestrians are the beneficiaries of the airport’s convenient plaza between the terminal and the new Consolidated Ground Transportation Center. Portions of an existing short/long-term parking structure were removed to create an attractive, canopy-covered atrium with moving walkways, water features, landscaped areas and outdoor speakers that broadcast music from local artists. Its electrical and mechanical systems are controlled from the airport’s central control system.
The airport’s parking facilities also underwent major repairs, including concrete resurfacing, traffic topping replacement, installation of latex-modified overlays, re-striping, expansion-joint replacement and floor strengthening. Architectural improvements included lighting of pedestrian tunnels, structural upgrades to support vehicle loads on a pedestrian bridge, a new infill valet ramp and license-plate-recognition systems.
To avoid holiday traffic, repairs were selectively phased, and employee and overflow parking were temporarily relocated. Signage and dedicated construction-access roads helped avoid backups, and temporary masking boards separated the usable areas of the garage from the construction zone.
The project earned the 2014 Best Parking Facility Rehabilitation or Restoration Award from the International Parking Institute, Alexandria, Va.