Workers focus on the side of Fredericksburg's downtown parking garage on Sophia Street at Wolfe Street. rls

A ladder is passed from one level to another by workers as they build the Sophia Street parking garage in downtown Fredericksburg. rls

Construction is well under way on Fredericksburg's downtown parking garage on the corner of Sophia and Wolfe streets. rls

Prefabricated sections put into place, but finishing touches on downtown project won't be complete until Thanksgiving.

By ELIZABETH PEZZULLO

Date published: 4/9/2005

Where there was a gaping dirt hole at the corner of Sophia and Wolfe streets five days ago, there now stands a parking deck well on its way to completion.

"If you've been gone a week and just returned, Sophia Street looks a lot different," said Fredericksburg City Manager Phillip Rodenberg.

Construction of the $5.8 million, 300-space garage is right on schedule and should be open by Thanksgiving, said Beverly Cameron, assistant city manager.

The city also spent $800,000 to reimburse deck builder Donley's Inc., of Ohio, for two parcels along Caroline Street needed to build the garage.

With a few key strokes on his computer at City Hall, Cameron keeps an eye on the construction site, which is outfitted with a Webcam.

"Donley's has done an excellent job of putting together a great team of people," Cameron said.

Residents have likely noticed a big change to the downtown corner as well.

After months of site preparation, a towering crane rolled into town last Saturday, poised to move prefabricated walls, beams and floors into place.

A few days ago, heavy structural sections of the parking deck were hauled in from Petersburg on a flat-bed tractor-trailer.

Once complete, the deck will comprise 220 prefab components.

The deck will have a brick and stone facade, which will be one of the most time consuming parts of the project.

In July, the city signed a contract with Donley's and architectural firm Wisnewski Blair & Associates of Alexandria to build the three-story, four-level deck.

Proceeds from an existing local gas tax and garage parking fees will pay for the project.

For months last spring, a task force of residents, architects and city officials hashed out a design for the deck.

Residents wanted to be sure the parking deck will mesh with the historic surroundings of lower Sophia Street, a block from the Rappahannock River.

The final design resembles an 18th-century-style warehouse reminiscent of Fredericksburg's industrial and maritime past.

The cut-stone and brick structure will have a partially gabled roof and small windows.

The lot will be accessible from Wolfe Street, with another entrance off Sophia Street.

To reach ELIZABETH PEZZULLO: 540/374-5421 epezzullo@freelancestar.com

Date published: 4/9/2005