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YSU deck brightened a bit
Photo
Marin Dinu of Suburban Construction of Cleveland stains an inside wall of the M-2 parking deck at Youngstown State University. Lighting, stairwell and railing repair also are part of the second and final phase to repair the Lincoln Avenue deck.
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
When Youngstown State University students return to campus next month, they’ll be greeted by a brighter version of the Lincoln Avenue parking deck they left last spring.
The second and final phase of a project to repair the deck, called the M-2, started shortly after the end of classes, and Danny O’Connell, director of support services at YSU, says it’s on track for completion before the start of fall classes.
“Last year, we did the work to save the deck, but other than the ramps, students didn’t really notice it,” he said. “This year when they come back, they’ll really see the difference.”
The gray concrete inside the deck is being stained white, which will seal the structure from water. It also serves to create a brighter atmosphere. The yellow lights are being replaced with LED lights that O’Connell says will save the university money because of energy efficiency.
“It makes a huge difference in the brightness,” he said.
The project, estimated at about $1,050,000, was bid along with the project to perform preventive maintenance on the M-1 deck, located on Wick Avenue. The M-1 portion is about $450,000.
Besides the staining and lighting, the second phase of the M-2 project includes repairing and replacing six stairwells that had deteriorated and bolstering or replacing cables running around the deck and pedestrian railings.
The exterior will be power washed and sealed to prevent water infiltration.
Last year’s $2 million phase included repairing the entrance and exit ramps on the deck’s east and west sides, resealing the roof and replacing the supports that hold the deck in place.
Suburban Construction of Cleveland is the general contractor. University Electric of Youngstown is the electrical contractor and Carl Walker Parking, which has an office in Cleveland, is the university’s consultant.
Eric Urdzik of Suburban Construction said crews haven’t encountered anything unexpected during the project.
“Nothing outside of the general restoration things we see,” he said.
O’Connell said one of the most persistent problems in the decks is litter, and he hopes to coordinate with YSU’s recycling division on a campaign to discourage it.