Northampton faces costly decision on E.J. Gare Parking Garage repairs or demolition

NORTHAMPTON — The E.J. Gare Parking Garage faces structural deterioration from an alkali-silica reaction in its concrete, a condition that requires either costly repairs or demolition, city officials told the City Council on Thursday.

Engineers from Hoffmann Architects of New Haven, Connecticut, described the five-story garage as being in "severe disrepair," with spalling, structural corrosion, and water damage that has corroded the metal reinforcement inside. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra called the deterioration "concrete cancer." The city closed the garage's upper levels and stairwell earlier this year, reducing available parking from 430 spaces to 220.

Repair options range from limited fixes to the lower levels at $2.5 million to $3 million, to a comprehensive repair estimated at $7 million to $10 million, according to Robert Marsoli, director of engineering for Hoffmann Architects. Neither repair option would halt the garage's continued deterioration. Marsoli cautioned that repairs take time, and "during all that time, the deterioration continues to worsen, particularly over winter months."

Hoffmann Architects recommends demolition instead. Demolishing the garage and replacing it with a surface-level parking lot would cost $3.3 million to $3.8 million and provide 110 parking spaces, according to Angie Gregory, the city's Central Services director. Building a full replacement garage would cost between $18 million and $33 million.

Gregory also suggested the city could put the site out to bid for private development, with conditions that developers retain public parking spaces and maintain access to the sky bridge to Thornes Marketplace. The city has been spending roughly $9,000 per month on temporary maintenance and structural supports while deciding on a long-term strategy.

Sciarra said the city is working to secure supplemental parking throughout downtown. Options include a long-term agreement for 70 spaces at the 33 Hawley Street parking lot, temporary use of 20 spaces at the former Saint Mary's church site, and use of a parking lot near 33 King Street owned by Valley Community Development Corp. while that building is developed for housing.

Sciarra said the city will conduct an updated parking study to determine actual downtown parking needs and will pilot a shuttle service during large events, starting with Bag Day in November. She told the Council the city would return with financing recommendations and plans once options are further evaluated.