HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouth Parking Ramp Closure Press ReleaseContact: Brittany Bader, Digital Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • BBader@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Parking Ramp at 50th & France to Temporarily Close for Repairs
Edina, Minn., June 5, 2023 – The South Parking Ramp at 50th & France will temporarily close June 12 for repairs. The public parking facility located at 4050 W. 51st St. is expected to
remain closed for approximately four to eight weeks while the contractor completes repairs.
The temporary closure is limited to the parking garage only. Pedestrian routes will still be available throughout the block, and alley access will remain open for business deliveries.
Parking will be available in the ramp through Sunday, June 11. Beginning Monday, June 12, entry points to the ramp will be blocked off, and only authorized construction workers on the
project will have access. Pedestrians traveling in the walkways around the ramp should follow all posted signs and refrain from entering the construction site.
About the Closure
The City’s parking ramps undergo annual inspections. Then, the City performs routine maintenance each year to keep the public parking facilities in good condition. Repairs of the ramp,
originally constructed in 1968 and the oldest parking facility operated by the City, were scheduled for this spring. Unfortunately, when repairs began in April, damage was worse than
expected. Excessive decay was discovered in four structural concrete support columns on the southwest side of the street level near West 51st Street. The columns must be rebuilt. Work
has been paused at the ramp since the damage to the support columns was identified. The facility is safe for the time being because temporary structural supports – called shoring –
have been in place since repairs began in April, but the work must be finished this summer, requiring the ramp’s temporary closure.
Along with engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Associates and construction contractor RAM Construction Services, the City looked at multiple options to try to leave portions of the ramp
open while completing the structural repairs, but since the columns are load-bearing, the decision was made to close the entire parking garage out of an abundance of caution while the
work is finished.
In addition to making the needed structural repairs, the City will maximize the closure period to simultaneously complete other maintenance projects in the South Ramp.
“The City understands that this work is disruptive to employees and customers. The structural decay will only get worse if delayed further and the repairs cannot be postponed. We hope
to reopen the South Parking Ramp in a better, brighter and safer condition,” said Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf.
Public Parking Near 50th & France
Several public parking and customer parking options, including the
North and Center ramps, are available at 50th & France. In addition to
parking lots and parking garages, street parking is also allowed in Minneapolis
and Edina, though visitors should check for any special regulations posted on signs.
Additionally, many businesses offer customer parking with posted restrictions.
Stay Up to Date at BetterTogetherEdina.org
To stay up to date with information related to the ramp closure, including the reopening date once identified, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/south-ramp. For more information, contact
City of Edina Facilities Supervisor Jon Darsow at jdarsow@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0305.
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South Parking Ramp at 50th & France to Temporarily Close for Repairs
Edina, Minn., June 5, 2023 – The South Parking Ramp at 50th & France will temporarily close June 12 for repairs. The public parking facility located at 4050 W. 51st St. is expected to
remain closed for approximately four to eight weeks while the contractor completes repairs.
The temporary closure is limited to the parking garage only. Pedestrian routes will still be available throughout the block, and alley access will remain open for business deliveries.
Parking will be available in the ramp through Sunday, June 11. Beginning Monday, June 12, entry points to the ramp will be blocked off, and only authorized construction workers on the
project will have access. Pedestrians traveling in the walkways around the ramp should follow all posted signs and refrain from entering the construction site.
About the Closure
The City’s parking ramps undergo annual inspections. Then, the City performs routine maintenance each year to keep the public parking facilities in good condition. Repairs of the ramp,
originally constructed in 1968 and the oldest parking facility operated by the City, were scheduled for this spring. Unfortunately, when repairs began in April, damage was worse than
expected. Excessive decay was discovered in four structural concrete support columns on the southwest side of the street level near West 51st Street. The columns must be rebuilt. Work
has been paused at the ramp since the damage to the support columns was identified. The facility is safe for the time being because temporary structural supports – called shoring –
have been in place since repairs began in April, but the work must be finished this summer, requiring the ramp’s temporary closure.
Along with engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Associates and construction contractor RAM Construction Services, the City looked at multiple options to try to leave portions of the ramp
open while completing the structural repairs, but since the columns are load-bearing, the decision was made to close the entire parking garage out of an abundance of caution while the
work is finished.
In addition to making the needed structural repairs, the City will maximize the closure period to simultaneously complete other maintenance projects in the South Ramp.
“The City understands that this work is disruptive to employees and customers. The structural decay will only get worse if delayed further and the repairs cannot be postponed. We hope
to reopen the South Parking Ramp in a better, brighter and safer condition,” said Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf.
Public Parking Near 50th & France
Several public parking and customer parking options, including the
North and Center ramps, are available at 50th & France. In addition to
parking lots and parking garages, street parking is also allowed in Minneapolis
and Edina, though visitors should check for any special regulations posted on signs.
Additionally, many businesses offer customer parking with posted restrictions.
Stay Up to Date at BetterTogetherEdina.org
To stay up to date with information related to the ramp closure, including the reopening date once identified, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/south-ramp. For more information, contact
City of Edina Facilities Supervisor Jon Darsow at jdarsow@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0305.
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