The conversion of the former Acree’s Warehouse into an indoor parking lot is taking longer than expected, but a representative of the architecture firm handling the project said it will be completed by Christmas.
The garage covers most of a River District block bounded by Craghead, Bridge, Loyal and Wilson streets, except for some commercial and residential space facing Craghead Street.
Emmett Lifsey, a principal with CJMW Architecture in Lynchburg, said in March that he anticipated completion by the end of summer. On Thursday he said unexpected delays have added some time to the project.
“There have been issues with existing conditions and general construction delays,” Lifsey said Thursday. “Nothing major; it’s just the process.”
Some extra poles to strengthen the roof took some extra time, and will cut into the number of parking spaces in the garage. Originally expected to net about 150 parking spaces, there will more likely be about “130 or so” when the parking stripes are painted, Lifsey said.
The huge space is well lit by windows on all sides of the space and lights hanging from the ceilings, which also lend airiness to the space.
Trevor Owen — of M.R. Dishman, the general contractor for the project — said parking garages typically have low ceilings.
“Some of these are as high as 30 feet,” Owen said.
Most of the floor had been poured on Thursday, with some concrete work still needed around support poles and at some of the entrances. There is also painting to be done to the ceiling and support poles.
There will be four entrances for vehicles to enter and leave the garage, from Bridge, Loyal and Wilson streets. Pedestrians leaving or returning to the garage will also have multiple options, but the main pedestrian entrance will be at the corner of Loyal and Bridge streets, where a former gas station once was housed.
That entrance will be across the street from the River District Tower project, where medical officers are planned for three of the floors.
Lifsey said that area of the garage will be where handicapped parking will be placed.
Thibodeau reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
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