ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
A study of Asheville’s parking garages last year found numerous problems — about $11.3 million worth — including many that needed immediate attention.
Priority repairs at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Wall Street and Rankin Avenue garages started last fall and have recently been completed, city Communications specialist Kim Miller said.
Light pole repairs on the top level of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center deck started May 29. The light poles have been installed and the electrical work completed, Miller said. However, the contractor is still finishing the concrete work around the base of the poles.
The plan for improving accessible parking and accessible travel within the parking garages has been completed and gone out for bids, Miller said. Construction will start this summer, the city’s website said.
Pending budget approval, the next phase (high-priority repairs) is scheduled for later this year and will focus on cleaning, sealing and waterproofing concrete and steel surfaces.
Common items included in the comprehensive facility study were:
- Concrete repairs
- Stair and elevator framing replacement/repair
- Joint sealant replacement
- Guard rail replacements
- Weatherproofing and coatings
- Restriping and improved signage
These repairs were being made in phases organized to address the highest priorities first and with as minimal disruption to parking services as possible.
Timeline
Immediate priority repairs: Completed early 2024
Impacted Facilities: Wall Street, Rankin Ave, Harrah’s Cherokee Center Garages.
Repairs needed for stairwells, elevator landings, and deck improvements.
Accessibility improvements: starting summer 2024
Resizing of ADA spaces, new striping, relocation of select ADA parking spaces, cane detection, signage
High priority repairs
Waterproofing, joint seal replacements, mechanical, electrical and drainage repairs.
Start in fall 2024 and be completed by spring 2026
Medium priority repairs and enhancement
Full replacement of Harrah’s Cherokee Center garage stairwells, replacement of framing at Wall Street elevator landings, guard rail replacements, signage and wayfinding improvements.
Start in summer 2026 and be completed by spring 2027
City parking garages (according to the city’s website)
The city of Asheville operates four parking garages in the Central Business District: Harrah’s Cherokee Center (built in 1976), Wall Street (built in 1988), Rankin Avenue (built in 1988) and Biltmore Avenue (built in 2011).
- Biltmore Avenue Garage (61 S. Lexington Ave.) has 409 spaces and is open 24/7. Entry and exit points are on Lexington Avenue, Biltmore Avenue and Aston Street. The facility is open 24/7 and is free for the first hour and $2 for each additional or partial hour thereafter with a maximum daily rate of $20.
- Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Parking Garage (68 Rankin Ave.) has 550 spaces. Entry and Exit portals are at Vanderbilt Place and Rankin Avenue. The facility is open 24/7 and is free for the first hour and $2 for each additional or partial hour thereafter with a maximum daily rate of $20.
- Rankin Avenue Garage (12 Rankin Ave.) has 262 spaces. Entry and exit points for this garage are on Rankin Avenue and West Walnut Street. The facility offers an incremental rate that is free for the first hour and $2 for each additional or partial hour thereafter with a maximum daily rate of $20.
- Wall Street Garage (45 Wall St.) has 221 spaces. Vehicles enter and exit on Wall Street and Battery Park Avenue. The facility is open 24/7 and is free for the first hour and $2 for each additional or partial hour thereafter with a maximum daily rate of $20.
