Historic
Penn Street Parking Garage
The University of Maryland at Baltimore

Features
10-level open parking structure. 12,000 square feet of retail at ground level
Summary
Considered the main gateway to a major university campus, the project site was the location of an electrical distribution substation of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. The 100-year old brick and terra cotta facade, identified as historically significant, was preserved during demolition and incorporated into the new building architecture.
Founded on deep caissons to rock, the precast double tee parking structure utilizes architectural finished spandrel panels inlaid with brick to integrate the existing facade and negate the typical parking garage "look". At ground level, 12,000 square feet of flexible office space is provided to serve specific university needs. Parking spaces for 956 cars serve University staff commuters, however, it is also a mixed-use facility serving University and City visitors as well as patrons of nearby Oriole Park at Camden Yards Stadium. Reversible lanes provide for heavy traffic volumes at peak hours and post-event exodus. Traffic and Revenue Control Systems are integrated into the University network. An open layout and use of glass enclosures provide security for garage patrons. Wayfinding graphics reduces confusion.
As the Parking Consultant, DESMAN provided parking functional design and specifications for the access and revenue control equipment. DESMAN also served as the Structural Engineer of Record as part of the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company Design-Build Team. The facility satisfies a program requirement for a 40-year life expectancy and makes use of current technology to provide a durable concrete structure. The parking facility was the Honorable Mention Award recipient from the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) for excellence in parking structure design over 800 spaces.