Consider Guard Rail Enhancements for the Parking Ramp

The parking ramp has been open for several years. The exterior railings for all floors were designed to be functional and also appear as architectural elements. The north, east and south railings on the top floor are a mixture of concrete and concrete topped with metal fence. The top of the metal fence is 9 feet above the floor with the top of the concrete at the fence 66 inches above the floor. The lower concrete rails are 43 inches high. The railing on the north, east and south sides of the 2nd and 3rd floors are concrete to 30 inches with metal railings on top making the total height 43 inches. The west railings on all floors are cables to allow for the expansion that is under construction. There are Plexiglas panels in metal frames that stretch from railing to ceiling in the north east corner of the ramp adjacent to the stairs.

The interior edges of the floors and ramps between floors have chain link fence over cables cast into the support columns. The top of the chain link fence is 43 inches above the floor. There is an 18" gap between the horizontal fence at the edge of the floor and the sloping fence at the edge of the ramps.

The heights of the railings and fences meet the current safety standards. A copy of the state code is attached.

The parking ramp expansion is currently under construction.

A concern was raised that the lower height railings may not prevent a bicycle rider striking the barrier from going over the top of the railing. A proposal was requested from LSA Design, Inc. for designing changes to three specific areas on the ramp:
Enclose all exterior openings on floors 2 and 3 and raise the guard rail height at specific locations on the top floor.
Enclose openings between the floors at sloped ramp on all floors.
Provide sunscreen protection on east side of parking ramp at middle bay.

A proposal was submitted with 2 options:
1. Design all enhancements. Fee $5,500 plus reimbursable expenses
2. Design limited enhancements. Fee $3,900 plus reimbursable expenses.

The work would be processed as a change order to the current construction project and is estimated between $100,000 and $200,000 depending on the level of improvements selected.

The first deck pour for the parking lot expansion is scheduled for the week of November 7. Design changes approved by the City Council will need to be communicated to the contractor prior to this so that the form work can be adjusted accordingly.

The Public Works Committee reviewed this case at the October 18 meeting and recommended accepting the proposal from LSA for all enhancements for a fee not to exceed $5,500.  Note, Council action would only authorize design at this time.  Separate action on the improvements would need to be authorized by a later contract chang order, if the City decides to move forward with all or part of the proposed design changes.