With substantial completion on December 27, 2013, removal and replacement of the existing waterproofing system and structural concrete repairs on the landscaped lid of the Lakeside Underground Garage (formerly the East Monroe Underground Garage) represents arguably the largest single and continuously applied new hot rubberized waterproofing system ever installed in the United States. Over 750,000 GSF (17 + acres) of the existing waterproofing membrane was stripped and replaced with a new hot-applied system, which included a root barrier, protection board, and drainage mat; all in one construction season (8 months). Miscellaneous structural concrete repairs to the cast-in-place concrete lid slab and soffit (inside the parking garage) were also performed.

In all phases of the project, DESMAN served as the Prime Architect/Structural Engineer of record and Waterproofing Specialist to the Chicago Park District lease concessionaire, AMI Group, LLC.

The garage was originally constructed in 1974 and provides approximately 3,850 parking spaces on two underground levels. It is part of the four-garage, 9,200 parking-space Chicago Underground Parking System; the largest of its kind in the U.S.

When completed in 2015, the new Maggie Daley Park (estimated construction cost of $55 million) will be located above the re-waterproofed lid slab of the Lakeside Garage. While the garage lid re-waterproofing and structural repair work were necessary after nearly forty years of service, it also provided the opportunity to totally reconsider the design and function of the park. Named in honor of Chicago’s late former First Lady, Maggie Daley Park is poised for a dramatic transformation that will include multisensory landscaping; signature elements like rock-climbing sculptures, an ice-skating ribbon, and play garden; and multiple event spaces.