Site work is under way on the new parking garage, which is set to open in fall 2010. (photo by Neil Brake)
New garage to boost parking options
Construction is under way on a new garage that will add 1,400 spaces to Vanderbilt Medical Center's parking inventory.
The $42 million garage is being built between 24th Avenue and 25th Avenue, across from the Blair School of Music on the site of a former surface parking lot. Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2010.
The new garage will consist of 11 levels, with eight underground and three above ground. Of the facility's 1,750 spaces, 1,400 will be dedicated for Medical Center personnel. The remainder will be dedicated for University personnel.
According to Ken Browning, director of Plant Services for VMC, the new garage will provide a much-needed boost to the Medical Center's parking inventory, which currently stands at 12,500 spaces.
“The number of employees at the Medical Center grows at an average rate of nearly 5 percent per year, so we're banking on this new garage to help us handle that increase,” Browning said.
Also helping will be the continued move of certain outpatient clinics and services to Vanderbilt Health at One hundred Oaks, which will free up additional staff parking on the Medical Center campus until the new garage opens in two years.
“As those people transition we'll pick up approximately 500 parking spaces, so that will help us maintain our inventory,” Browning said.