Concrete Monthly , April 2005
Results of the online survey of more than 750 respondents conducted by Structural Group and Parking Today magazine present the construction industry with tremendous opportunity in this market.
Structural Group delivers services, systems and technologies that build, repair, protect, strengthen, and reinforce concrete, steel, masonry, timber and soils. Parking Today (parkingtoday.com) is a trade journal for members of the parking industry covering all aspects of the market from garage design and construction, to operations, personnel, maintenance and security.
Brian Gallagher, director of marketing for Structural Group, said that an increasing number of property owners are becoming aware of the condition of their parking structures and of the potential effect that deterioration may have over time. As such, understanding the maintenance, repair and new construction habits of the marketplace is crucial to the long-term strength of the parking industry.
"The unmistakable symptoms of corrosion are recognizable, but the root cause of the problem must be addressed and corrected to ensure the long-term value of the structure and protect the owner's investment," Gallagher said. "However, we also recognize the importance of understanding the greater forces influencing the industry in terms of decision-making, budgets and philosophies as related to the design, construction, repair and maintenance of today's facilities."
Survey topics included major factors and areas of concern with regard to the design/construction of new parking facilities, as well as maintenance and repair for existing facilities; trends in design, construction and/or renovation of parking facilities; complaints received about the condition of parking structure(s); preventative maintenance plans and budgets; facility life expectancy; driving forces in selecting a structural system; inspection budget and habits; as well as maintenance dollars as related to operating budget and overall revenue.
Key findings in the survey include:
- Understanding the respondents: Forty-seven percent of respondents are in a facility maintenance role, 24 percent have responsibility to hire design consultants, 34 percent are involved in contractor selection, and 27 percent handle construction management/oversight.
- Durability is key for new construction: With regard to the design and construction of new facilities, respondents ranked durability as most important. Fifty-five percent of respondents expect their facility to last more than 25 years, 17 percent expect a lifetime of 20-25 years, while 15 percent are hoping for 16-20 years. Approximately 10 percent expect to get a mere 10-15 years from their structure, while 4 percent expect between 5-9 years.
- Looking to design and construction professional: To obtain information about maintenance, 58 percent rely on architects, engineers and/or consultants.
- Monumental decisions: Forty-six percent of respondents reported that they were involved in selecting a structural system. They cited cost, durability of materials and recommendation of the consultant as the key factors in making their decision.
- Regular inspections are the norm: Almost 45 percent of respondents stated that they engage in regular facility inspections twice a year, while 40 percent inspect on an annual basis, and 5 percent every other year. The other 10 percent accounts for people who inspect their facility either once every 5 years (3 percent) or never (7 percent).
- The dollars: Approximately 35 percent of maintenance dollars are spent on annual maintenance, 33 percent goes to preventive maintenance and inspection and 32 percent goes to reactive repairs. Only 7 percent of maintenance dollars are spent on architectural enhancements. Although the average amount spent on maintenance is 49 percent of respondents' total operating budgets, it accounts for only 14 percent of total revenue expenditures.
- Industry trends: Respondents cited a host of trends in the design, construction and/or renovation of parking facilities for the next five years including: growth in construction costs; facilities that either blend in or complement the surrounding area; multi-use facilities that offer retail or restaurant space on the first floor of the garage; secure facilities that are still aesthetically pleasing; more innovative parking garage design to help maintain construction budgets through material costs; and the need for more parking due to downtown revitalization projects.
