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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-037 - Duke & Ontario St - Garage Facade TreatmentsStaff Re~p~r~ I~TCn~nT~~ lnfrastru~ture Services flepartmeat www.kitchenerca REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: April 16, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 PREPARED BY: John McBride, Director Transportation Services, 741-2374 Cory Bluhm, Manager Downtown Development, 741-3400 WARD INVOLVED: Ward 10 DATE OF REPORT: April 4, 2012 REPORT NO.: INS-12-037 SUBJECT: DUKE & ONTARIO GARAGE FACADE TREATMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS: That Council consider the inclusion of a coloured fagade treatment for the Duke & Ontario Parking Garage; and further, That staff be directed to undertake the public consultation process as proposed in this report and report back to a future Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting. BACKGROUND: The last phase of structural repairs in the Duke & Ontario Garage is about to commence. Council approved the low tender as submitted by Canadian Construction Controls Ltd at their meeting of March 26, 2012. The structural repairs will consist of new external post tensioning on two levels, new asphaltic membrane on the helix and the repair and sealing of the fagade of the garage. It is the nature of the fagade work that is the focus of this report. The Duke & Ontario Garage was constructed in the mid 1960's, and with the prominent helix design, is somewhat unique in this part of the country and for this reason, it has been featured in a number of commercials and advertisements. Heritage Kitchener has also recognized its architectural importance and has listed its status as anon-designated structure on the Municipal Heritage Register. REPORT: The Duke & Ontario Garage is approximately 45 years old and the vast majority of previous repairs have been focused on the structural slabs, beams, helix and the introduction of waterproofing membranes. While this last phase of the repair program deals predominantly with those issues, it also includes repairs to the fagade of the structure. 12-1 Staff Re~p~r~ ~ITCH~14?E~ ~t?fCQStI'uCture ServrCeS flepaCrtme~~ wH+w.kitthenerca Concrete delaminations around columns, slab edges and parapet walls on the fagade must be repaired to prevent, not only further delaminations, but also the risk of falling concrete. When observing the fagade from all sides, numerous locations of exposed, rusted reinforcing steel can be observed. These delaminations had previously had all loose material removed to prevent falling hazards, but if it is not repaired, further deterioration will occur. Fagade repairs will include the removal of all loose concrete, preparation of exposed reinforcing steel and the patching with a suitable concrete mix of all areas showing signs of deterioration. The resulting appearance of the garage will be somewhat pockmarked as new whiter concrete will be visible against the older greyer concrete. A sealer will then be applied which will prevent the intrusion of moisture into the concrete, which contributes to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel as well as address issues of carbonation of the concrete. Installation of the elastomeric coasting (sealer) will greatly improve the protection of the reinforced concrete by acting as a carbon dioxide diffusion barrier and a waterproof membrane with crack bridging capabilities. One of the advantages of the elastomeric sealer is that it can be coloured. This gives us the opportunity to not only hide the visual difference between the old concrete and the new repairs, but also to substantially change the appearance of the garage and create a landmark building that could become the visual focal point of this portion of the downtown. Different colour combinations that accent the helix, the columns or the parapet walls have the potential to turn an older grey structure into something that is more lively, interesting and even provocative. Staff see this opportunity as an architectural enhancement to the garage as opposed to a public art project, although it is recognized that some members of the public may view it otherwise. The pallet of colours available and the combination of colours is considerable. For this reason, should Council agree to consider colour alternatives for the garage, a very public process is proposed. Timing will be critical in order not to delay the repair program and a final decision will be required by the end of May. It is proposed that the following process be followed in order to engage not only stakeholders, but also the public, in choosing a suitable fagade treatment for this parking structure. It is suggested that a small working group be formed, made up of two members of: • The Public Art Working Group • Heritage Kitchener • The Grand Valley Society of Architects • The Kitchener Business Improvement Area • The Downtown Advisory Committee This committee would work with staff to prepare a maximum of four different options that would then be promoted through the City's website where the public could vote for their favourite 12-2 Staff Re~p~r~ ~ITCH~14?E~ 1lI~CQStrllfl?'UC~ Se!'VICES fl~p~Cfl?1~11~ www.kitthenerca design. The results of the working groups efforts as well as the on line vote of residents would then be brought back to Council for ratification before proceeding. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: This initiative falls under both the Quality of Life and Dynamic Downtown priorities in that it will build greater public appreciation, understanding and protection of our cultural heritage resources and foster vitality in the core. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The elastomeric coating (sealer) is already included in the Duke & Ontario Garage repair tender. There is no additional cost to colour the sealer. Any minor costs related to the public consultation process will be covered by the structural repair budget. COMMUNICATIONS: A working group made up of numerous interested groups will be invited to participate in creating potential fagade scenarios for presentation to the public. The public will then be invited to vote online for their preferred fagade treatment. The results of both the working group and the public input will be brought back to Council for their consideration. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department 12-3