Parking Spotlight

The traffic pattern for vehicles once onsite led them directly to the below-grade parking garage. This was critical because the footprint of the development is oblong and curved, and access is limited due to a surrounding freeway. The distance between the freeway onramp and an intersection into the development required the access points to the garage to be moved to the center of the development.

Properly managing the traffic flow into and out of the below-grade garage challenged the design team because peak entry and exit times for retail parking garages tend to overlap. To avoid long queues of vehicles competing for spaces, Walter P Moore developed a vehicular pattern to naturally distribute incoming traffic throughout the garage’s interior. A parking guidance system that uses cameras—which also enhance security—helps guide vehicles throughout the garage.

The structural design of the below-grade structure includes 18 x 60-foot bays as opposed to 30 by 30-foot bays used for a conventional garage layout. Because it is a long-span structure, which is uncommon for an underground parking garage, it can efficiently support the retail plaza while providing column-free parking.

Additionally, two dual-lane pickup and drop-off areas were included in the below-grade parking area to accommodate patrons using ride-share options. The dual-lane drop-off areas surrounding each parking entrance can receive autonomous vehicles, shuttles, scooters as well as ride-share vehicles.

Pedestrian safety in the garage was also critical—separate paths for pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the parking garage are divided into multiple zones. Each pedestrian path includes a naturally well-lit stairwell to provide access to the plaza.

Finally, the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow slowly in Mexico. Therefore, the local code does not require EV charging stations. However, the owner asked Walter P Moore to incorporate the infrastructure for several EV spaces based on California code, each of which can be brought online rather seamlessly. ◆