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Workers focus on the side of Fredericksburg's downtown parking garage on Sophia Street at Wolfe Street.
A ladder is passed from one level to another by workers Construction is well under way on Fredericksburg's downtown parking garage on the corner of Sophia and Wolfe streets. |
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
