U. expects to start building new garage in March 1993

Construction of the University's proposed multi-level parking garage is expected to begin in early March, Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said last Monday. The building of the garage, which will be located at 38th and Walnut streets, is an integral part of two of the University's construction projects -- the Biomedical Research Building and the Revlon Center. And the garage's construction, Gravina said, is in a "race to the finish" with BRB. Both structures are scheduled for completion in mid-1994, but BRB, which will be located between Blockley Hall and the Nursing Education Building, cannot be occupied until the $38 million garage project is completed. The garage will house a "somewhat unique" chilled water plant which will provide the raw material for air conditioning a number of University buildings, including BRB. But Gravina said he is "discouraged" that the slow pace of the garage project may hold up the completion of BRB. The University is currently waiting for zoning and building permits for the garage from the city, he said. The 550-car garage, stretching from Walnut to Sansom streets, will also house ground-level retail stores and an electricity distribution center, one of six on campus. The Revlon Center fits into the same complicated equation. The parking garage was planned in order to absorb the spaces lost when the campus center is built on the site of the parking lot at 36th and Walnut streets. And construction on the campus center cannot begin until the parking spaces are compensated for, Gravina said. Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson said last week she expects that campus center construction will begin in the fall 1994 and the building should be ready to open its doors by fall 1996.

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