Bob Jones University Parking Deck
Greenville, SC
Students and faculty at Bob Jones University (BJU) welcomed a major structural change to the campus with the on-time fall opening of the school’s first parking garage, a project that fulfilled part of a long-range campus building program. Britt, Peters and Associates provided structural and civil design services for the four-level, post-tensioned, cast-in-place concrete parking deck, which was completed on time and under budget. For the Britt Peters team, the 150,000-square-foot facility presented several challenges, namely bridging a 40-year old sewer line running under the deck and shaping the deck around the campus' main utility tunnel. Because the project was structural engineering-led, Britt, Peters lead the entire design team’s efforts throughout the life of the project.
The much-anticipated 400-space facility which accommodates cars and motorcycles has made parking on campus easier and more convenient for day students, visitors, faculty and staff. The parking garage is strategically located near Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium, Rodeheaver Auditorium, the Alumni Building and the Davis Field House. The parking deck’s tan brick façade complements the university’s existing architecture – both buildings and covered sidewalks.
The facility’s design caters to students who walk across campus. Those who in the past used the Rodeheaver parking lot to get to the other side of campus now enjoy an 18-foot-wide lighted walkway between the Rodeheaver Auditorium and the new parking garage. For some students, the trek across campus has been cut nearly in half. In addition, parts of the third and fourth floors are on top of the walkway; this helps relieve congestion of pedestrian traffic before and after chapel attendance.
Stairs are positioned in three corners of the facility with the exception of the southeast corner. An elevator in the northeast corner is useful when students have heavy items such as luggage or packages to take to the residence halls. Among the parking deck’s special features is a platform stage on the lower level for impromptu sermons.
Construction of the parking deck was concurrent with two other major projects on the BJU campus – revamping of the school’s front entrance and a new coffee shop.
