PPA Debuts Spectacular State-of-the-Art Garage

PPA EXEC. DIR. Vince Fenerty describes what it took to complete renovation of the almost-70-year-old garage facility as Mayor Jim Kenney and PPA Board Chairman Joseph Ashdale listen. Photo by Wendell Douglas

Officials from the Philadelphia Parking Authority joined Mayor Jim Kenney to officially re-open the PPA’s Parkade Garage after it underwent some commercial renovations at 8th & Arch Streets in the heart of the city’s Market Street East Commercial District.

Built during the 1960s, PPA Exec. Dir. Vince Fenerty described the project as a “complete renovation of the garage from top to bottom, including a number of street-level retail spaces.”

Fenerty called the $33-million renovation of the 1,222 space garage “a milestone in the ongoing revitalization and continued economic expansion of the Market Street East Commercial District.”

PROJECT engineer Lorraine Baker handled $33 million in commercial renovations and earned right to cut the ribbon opening Parkade on 8th Street. Photo by Wendell Douglas

The PPA relocated its headquarters from 31st & Market Streets to 8th & Market Streets in April of 2013. According to Fenerty, “Since then, we have tried to do our part to improve this business district and help create jobs.”

The exterior design of the garage has been widely praised for its eye-catching appeal and overall aesthetic for using reflective glass and multi-color LED lighting.

PPA Board Chairman Joe Ashdale said he was “especially honored and pleased to announce the completion of a major project that will not only help increase commercial and economic activity in the Market Street East Commercial district – but also a project that created hundreds of well-paying construction jobs during the whole renovation.”

NEW SIGN – literally a new garage awaits customers anxious to park in the renovated facility at the corner of 8th & Arch. Photo by Wendell Douglas

Fenerty and Ashdale joined Mayor Kenney in giving special recognition to Lorraine Baker, the project manager for the garage renovation. “Lorraine Baker deserves special recognition for her leadership and direction on this project. Her quiet strength and unrelenting determination pulled all the necessary forces together and should not go unnoticed.”

It was also announced that Wills Eye Hospital will be an anchor client, having already signed a lease to open up a state of the art optical center at the corner of 8th & Market Streets.

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