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Commission approves schematic-design phase for parking-garage refresh; staff told to start with Chester Garage concepts
Summary
The commission on March 10 authorized BCT Design Group to proceed to schematic design for the city’s five downtown parking garages. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize Chester Garage and to return with cost estimates, lighting and scope options before construction decisions.
The city authorized architectural and design consultant BCT Design Group to move from pre-design into the schematic-design phase for interior and exterior improvements at Birmingham’s five downtown parking garages.
Why it matters: Commissioners directed the consultant to prioritize the Chester Garage for schematic design and to return with estimated costs and options for lighting, facade screening and low‑cost interior upgrades such as wayfinding, painted accents, improved stair/elevator lobbies and targeted landscaping. The commission emphasized the need to balance visual impact, durability and maintenance.
What the consultant proposed BCT presented concept ideas for two broad garage types: low-deck, compressed ceiling garages (where ceiling height limits what lighting or architectural work can be done) and higher-deck garages (where ambient lighting and vertical treatments are more feasible). Concepts included creating stronger horizontal lighting to visually “open” low ceilings, accenting vertical circulation towers with paint or lighting,…
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