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.  

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.

On October 18th, Staff was directed to amend the existing Contract with LSA Design to provide a design for the rail enhancements that would be necessary to accommodate the original concern that was raised that the lower height railings may not prevent a bicycle rider from striking the barrier and going over the top of the railing, or providing a situation that children could climb or fall into open areas.

During the discussion at the October 18th, Staff was directed to contact our insurance carrier to see if there would be any significant reduction of risk exposure, as reflected in premium reductions, if the City were to provide additional protection on this facility. The League of Mn Cities, our insurance carrier, has indicated that there will not be any reduction in our premium if we perform these enhancements

On January 17, 2012, the Public Works Committee met and discussed several aspects of the parking ramp, most of which will be addressed by the City Council under the report from Public Works on the Consent agenda. The issue of railing heights was one that Staff was directed to bring forward under separate case and that is the purpose of this case.

There were two options that were designed and priced for the concern that was expressed about the 43 inch rail heights. One added an extension on the top of the existing railing and the other completely enclosed the openings on floors 2 and 3 and raised the guard rail height at specific locations on the top floor. Bill Fossing from LSA Design was present at the meeting to present the designs and answer questions. The cost of these options are $147,658 and $302,588 respectively.

It was the consensus of the Public Works Committee to get a price only for those areas that are only concrete on the fourth floor.

The funding for this change order would be from TIF 1. There is adequate funding to fund this change order request as per Staff recommendation.