West 45th Business Center Parking Lot

This project meets many of the goals we set to use “Green” building practices and sustainable construction within the urban environment. First, it makes use of limited land space through infilling the parking facility within existing development. Concrete was chosen for this parking lot because of its competitive initial cost, expected durability, and nighttime safety characteristics. Use of concrete on this project helped contribute to effective use of materials including use of flyash, mitigation of “urban heat island effect”, provide long term aesthetics, and require minimal maintenance costs over a long period of time. This project has a clean look and upscale appearance, which enhances any property, plus its increased reflectivity (albedo) can lower cooling costs for adjacent buildings, and lower lighting costs.

At the beginning, a major drainage corridor existed in front of the 45th Street Business Center hindering access and consuming land area. Slope stability had become a concern for city engineers as this drainage ditch was exhibiting slumping of its embankments. Through cooperative goals and negotiations with the Red River Watershed District (RRWD), City of Fargo and Roers’ Development (RDI), Inc., a plan was developed to better utilize the land area. Through use of concrete box culverts to maintain the flow of the drainage ditch, this wasted land area was put to practical use. This cooperative effort between the RRWD, City of Fargo and RDI is exemplary in its approach to provide a “win – win” solution for the public sector and private business.

Once the concrete box culverts were placed, they were backfilled utilizing geofabric to improve soil stability. Concrete was chosen for its rigid pavement properties, durability, clean look, low maintenance, and ease of installation. A 5 inch depth concrete pavement was placed in phases over the project schedule. Site drainage was designed to minimize impact to the existing storm drainage system through both onsite storage and offsite storage allowances.

This 144,000 SF parking area provides an additional 310 parking stalls for the 45th Street West Business Center. The geometric design greatly improves access to the Business Center from 45th Street. Concrete provides a durable, attractive, easy to maintain pavement which enhances the productivity and value of the 45th Street Business Center.