The parking garages at the Village of Merrick Park Mall were constructed to service the parking needs of the busy shopping center’s patrons. Age, exposure to the elements, and heavy usage had caused some water related issues.
The mall’s owner, General Growth Properties hired Walker Restoration Consultants to survey the structures and develop repair specifications. Western Specialty Contractors’ Fort Lauderdale office was selected to complete the repairs.
Safety was a big concern in dealing with the high traffic of patrons, especially during the holiday season. Proper precaution was taken with the installation of perimeter fencing and barricades around the work area in order to maintain traffic and operations. An onsite container was utilized for proper storage of equipment and materials.
The scope of work consisted of a number of items. The existing expansion joints along with their metal cover plates were removed and replaced with a Watson Bowman joint system. Delaminated stucco on the exterior walls was removed and replaced as well as caulking in the vertical expansion joints. Primer along with two coats of a high-build acrylic exterior waterproof coating was applied to all new stucco surfaces.
Accessing the exterior wall of the garages required suspended scaffolding swing stages. Inspections of the beams, counter weights, safety lines and tie backs were completed on a daily basis. Foam board insulation and plywood were used to protect the existing top deck of the garage and ground floors.