October 14, 2022

Changes to Central Garage begin this week

Starting the week of Oct. 17, the Central Parking Garage will slightly reduce the number of available parking spaces.

By: VUMC News and Communications

Starting the week of Oct. 17, the Central Parking Garage will slightly reduce the number of available parking spaces. This work is an essential next step in the multi-year, 15-level Link Building at Vanderbilt University Medical Center designed to expand facility capacity to meet growing patient demand.

The number of parking spaces available in the Central Garage is being reduced as part of VUMC’s multi-year expansion project. (photo by Susan Urmy)
The number of parking spaces available in the Central Garage is being reduced as part of VUMC’s multi-year expansion project. (photo by Susan Urmy)

From Fall of 2022 through Summer of 2024, the massive construction project will focus on fortifying the garage’s foundation and existing levels to bear an additional three levels and a total of 600 additional parking spaces.

Architecture and engineering experts have developed a gradual process that involves closing as few patient parking spaces as possible at any given time. On-site signs will alert drivers to construction areas and temporarily close parking spaces. At this time, foot traffic routes and elevator access will not be impacted.

This portion of the expansion work will start with the first floor and will expand floor by floor until reaching the sixth level. The number of available spaces will fluctuate during this process. Typically, this construction will impact 16 to 23 spaces at any given time. When the Central Garage expansion is complete, it will house more than 1,500 parking spaces.

Additionally, in the coming months all visitors to VUMC’s Nashville campus will notice three tower cranes with an average height of 275-feet in the skyline. All machinery will remain within the current, fenced in construction area.

When finished, the lobby entrance of the 470,000-square-foot tower will face 21st Avenue South while its west façade will connect to VUH’s main structure, located across Medical Center Drive, by a two-story bridge spanning the street. The new Vanderbilt University Hospital tower will provide approximately 180 additional adult inpatient beds, Operating Room support space, clinics, and office space.

Details:

Reduction in Central Garage Parking Spaces

  • Car Traffic Flow: Onsite signage will direct drivers.
  • Foot Traffic Flow: Partial closures of sidewalks on the East side of Medical Center Drive will occur in October and will remain closed. Onsite signs will provide specific directions. Overhead protection will be installed at portions of the sidewalks on 21st Avenue and Pierce Avenue.
  • No patient drop-off areas, stairwells, elevators, or walkways over Medical Center Drive will be impacted at this time.