BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As progress continues on the construction of the $22 million Polk Street Parking Garage, Bethlehem Parking Authority is looking forward to working on another of the city's parking decks.
The authority Board of Directors voted Tuesday to assign a couple of firms to handle consulting and engineering requirements involved in the new Walnut Street Parking Garage project.
BPA plans to demolish the garage and construct an updated version in its place.
- The BPA Board of Directors approved the THA Consulting and Kleinfelder firms to handle engineering tasks and more as they relate to the new Walnut Street Parking Garage
- The THA proposal will run BPA $466,000, while the Kleinfelder proposal will not exceed $98,175
- The Polk Street Parking Garage under construction will see more progress during the next 30 days, and work on a pedestrian bridge will begin, BPA director says
The authority approved a $466,000 proposal for THA Consulting to handle design, architectural analysis and construction administration for the new parking garage.
BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said the cost of those services will be paid through a $3 million loan the board approved last month.
'Awesome partner to work with'
THA has been involved in structural assessments with the city for the past few years, and the company suits the situation better than the two other options that sent in a request for proposal, Fernstrom said.
“So the familiarity with the site and the overall project adds a lot of value to the puzzle,” Fernstrom said. THA “has won over 1,000 parking projects in their portfolio.”
“We work with them currently on the Polk Street Garage project, and they’ve been just an awesome partner to work with. So, it’s important for us to keep the same team together for this.”Steven Fernstrom, Bethlehem Parking Authority executive director on current partnership with the Kleinfelder firm
The board voted for Kleinfelder — an engineering, construction management, design and environmental services firm — to handle the geotechnical engineering requirements associated with the project in an amount not to exceed $98,175.
That would include geologic site evaluations, subsurface condition studies, earthwork, soil evaluations and more.
“We work with them currently on the Polk Street Garage project, and they’ve been just an awesome partner to work with,” Fernstrom said. “So it’s important for us to keep the same team together for this.”
Polk Street garage 'topped off'
Fernstrom also provided an update on the Polk Street Garage construction process.
The seven-level garage at Polk and East Third streets will provide more than 700 parking spaces, with a pedestrian bridge to Northampton Community College’s Fowler Center.
Bethlehem broke ground on the project in August 2021, and Fernstrom said the precast construction is complete, and the last piece was topped off on Thursday.
Within the next 30 days, the following components will be at the listed completion point:
- Concrete slab-on-grade, 75% complete
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing components, 60% complete
- Storefront systems including doors and walls, 80% complete
- Pedestrian bridge work will commence
There will be a nearby “courtyard area” that Fernstrom said may be used to feature public art or as a community gathering area.
Also, the authority is considering adding some catenary lighting across Fillmore Street to “liven” up the space.
