Facing millions in repairs, Bethlehem’s Walnut Street Garage could be replaced
Bethlehem’s aging Walnut Street Parking Garage could require more than $20 million in repairs over the next 20 years, a price tag which has city officials considering a replacement.
The Bethlehem Parking Authority this week authorized a $42,500 study by Desman Design Management to determine what it would cost to replace the garage, what type of parking facility is best suited for the site and what to do about the more than 700 vehicles that would be displaced during construction.
The results of the study are expected in six months.
Steven Fernstrom, executive director of the parking authority, said the organization has been planning a major overhaul or replacement for the garage in 2023. The study is the initial step, which is why the authority decided to proceed despite halting plans on a new Polk Street Garage.
Construction was to begin next month on the $19.4 million, nearly 600-spot Polk Street garage, but Fernstrom said earlier this month that project is on hold because of the pandemic, which affected revenues and demand across the city’s parking system.
As of Friday, there was still no update on when the Polk Street project might proceed.
Fernstrom said it’s too soon to say how much a new Walnut Street Garage might cost.
“We feel it’s best to accelerate at least this part of the project, which is getting the study done to help us understand and make a better decision on howto move forward with Walnut Street,” Fernstrom said. “Since 2014 it’s been identified numerous times that Walnut Street would need attention.”
A June report from Desman examining the 46-year-old garage found it’s in poor condition and would require a major overhaul to continue safely operating. Even though emergency repairs have been made in recent years, deterioration has continued.
The report estimated $12.6 million in immediate repairs are needed, and a total of $23.7 million within the next 20 years.
The most significant issues are corrosion of steel beams, columns and connections from the infiltration of water laden with chlorides. Somebeamshave been shored up and portions of the garage were closed to traffic until repairs were completed. Desman also recommended updating the garage’s electrical system and elevators.