Project Overview
Due to revitalization efforts, areas of Detroit, Mich., that were in decline are now lively and thriving. Significant investment over the past decade has driven this transformation, which has involved rethinking how the city connects its neighborhoods, communities, and green spaces. The Southwest Greenway, an approximately 1-mile-long trail running along a former railway corridor, is a key part of this effort. Situated at the head of the Greenway is the Bagley Mobility Hub, a 440,556 ft2 parking structure with a 1252-vehicle capacity.
Parking Powered by Precast Concrete
Innovative design and thoughtful planning are at the heart of the Bagley Mobility Hub. Project architect and engineer Rich & Associates Inc., Fabcon, and the owner, the public-private Michigan Central partnership, collaborated to develop a precast concrete solution consisting of more than 1000 pieces, including architectural precast concrete wall panels, spandrels, double tees, stairs, and more. The mobility hub delivers a striking aesthetic thanks to the combined use of precast concrete panels, polycarbonate panels, and a cantilevered halo canopy secured to the roof.
A larger-than-usual stair tower represents a significant component of the mobility hub’s design. To meet the design specifications, a 45-ft-long, single-cast precast concrete stair was chosen. The stair components were cantilevered so that they appear to be floating. Public art installations further enhance the visuals of the parking structure: A 97-ft-long mural is located on the ground floor’s north facade. Additionally, a moving-light sculpture is visible to viewers both inside and outside of the stair tower.
The owner requested that all 1252 parking spaces inside the mobility hub be able to access electric vehicle charging stations. To meet this objective, the project team had to pre-determine future routing of conduit throughout the parking structure. The project team meticulously planned ways to feed power to each station and determine the future locations of intermediate electrical rooms on the upper levels. Practical solutions leveraging precast concrete were essential to this design. Multiple sleeves run through each precast concrete double-tee stem, and the inverted tee beams offer several options for horizontal conduit runs. Additionally, there are knockout areas at specific locations in some of the double-tee flanges to permit the creation of larger openings for vertical chases, facilitating the future installation of electrical rooms.
The Bagley Mobility Hub is more than just a functional parking structure. It is a landmark that reflects innovative design and thoughtful urban planning – both critical in Detroit’s renaissance and promise of a brighter future.
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |