Crews are finishing up flood repairs in the parkade at City Hall and say they are on track to reopen at the end of the month.
On June 21, the parkade filled with as much water as it takes to fill 22 Olympic sized swimming pools and all seven levels were covered with water.
"Our first task was to get the water out. Once the water got out, probably one of the most depressing days of my life to walk around and see a parkade just completely destroyed and then moving on from there and figuring out how we're going to put this thing back together again," said Dean Bell, Calgary Parking Authority.
City crews have been repairing the parkade ever since to get it back up and running for downtown drivers.
The mechanic systems were wiped out and crews pulled 76.2 kms of wire through the structure to replace the damaged electrical system.
The conduit, pipes, sprinkler heads and light were all replaced and the city says the good news is that the floods afforded them the opportunity to upgrade some things.
Here’s a list of what’s new:
- Each level of the parkade, including the lobby areas, will be painted a unique color.
- All of the lights are now LED and are on dimmers.
- The name has been changed to City Hall Parkade (it was formerly Civic Plaza Parkade).
- All the new mechanical and ventilation systems are more efficient and safety systems have been enhanced.
- A new snow melt heating system has been installed in the entry ramp.
- Fixed cameras have been installed at entry and exit points of the parkade.
- Future flood mitigation measures have been incorporated.
- Enhanced way finding signs have been installed.
- Parking stalls are wider than they previously were.
The City Hall Parkade is expected to reopen on December 1, 2013.
To see photos of the rebuilding process, click HERE.
