WeHo

Challenge

The idea to build an automated parking garage in WeHo was born after a study by city hall revealed the previous parking lot to be under-parked by updated codes by almost two-thirds in capacity. The lack of parking spaces forced city employees to use a nearby crowded parking deck. The site also lacked safe and efficient access points and offered no usable outdoor space. WeHo needed a solution that would allow for minimal disruption of traffic patterns while providing 200 spots within a tight footprint.

Solution

The parking lot in car-centric Los Angeles, for which Utron developed a turnkey automated system, is an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally forward solution in a region where 84% of commuters drive between home and work. Utron’s automated garages can operate within a smaller footprint with lower ceiling heights and without ramps. This reduced the footprint required for the structure by 40%. and increasing spaces from 72 to 200.

Technology

Utron Pace is a Shuttle Automated Parking solution, also referred to as “Rack and Rail” parking system. The system is based on shuttles performing single path horizontal movement along fixed rails and storing vehicles on racks located perpendicular to both sides of the fixed rails.

Client note

“The public garage serves City Hall and the renovated Community Plaza. By choosing Utron we enjoyed a win-win-win situation” Oscar Delgado, Director of Public Works

AWARDS

International Parking Institute 2017 Award of Excellence

Utron, along with the City of West Hollywood, won the 2017 International Parking Institute Award of Excellence for Best Design of a Parking Facility with Fewer than 800 Spaces.

Partnering with Utron, the City of West Hollywood built the first fully automated, municipally-run parking structure on the West Coast. The new 200-space structure was built above grade on a very small parcel that made a conventional garage impractical and cost prohibitive.

West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 2016 Creative Business Awards (CBA)

West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 2016 Creative Business Awards(CBA) presented Utron (Unitronics) The City of West Hollywood, and Heery International the Creative Concept Award for the City of West Hollywood’s Automated Parkade.

The Creative Business Awards (CBA) is the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious and longest running event. CBA is a gathering of 350 Business Owners, Stakeholders, Corporate Executives, Government Leaders, Hotel Investors, Developers and Hospitality Industry Leaders to celebrate creativity and innovation in business.

American Public Works Association (APWA) – 2016 Creative & Innovative Award

American Public Works Association (APWA) – 2016 Creative & Innovative Award was given to the City of West Hollywood for the West Hollywood Automated Garage.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is a not-for-profit, professional association of public works agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has an office in Washington, D.C.

Chartered in 1937, APWA is the largest organization of its kind in the world, supporting 63 chapters throughout North America.

National Parking Association (NPA) – 2016 Innovative Facility of the Year

Innovative Facility of the Year: City of West Hollywood Automated Garage

The city of West Hollywood, CA. has built the first fully automated, municipally run parking structure on the West Coast. The new, 200-space automated parking structure replaced a 68-space surface parking lot adjacent to West Hollywood City Hall. The automated garage incorporated a SKIDATA parking access revenue control system.

The West Hollywood automated garage has enhanced parking for city visitors and staff as it provides a valet-like experience without the costs and risks of valet parking. Through the use of a computerized parking storage and retrieval system, the automated garage has provided a dense configuration of parking spaces on a smaller footprint than a traditional parking structure.

The compact nature of the project afforded the city the ability to create a 4,000 square foot community plaza between city hall and the garage.

The parking structure includes a rooftop photovoltaic system that powers the garage. Other sustainable features include the use of composite wood panels that were made from recycle plastic grocery bags and milk jugs. Additionally, emissions are reduced due to the lack of drivers searching for an available space.

About NPA: The National Parking Association, established in 1951, is the voice of the $28 billion parking & industry composed of private parking owners and public parking operators that together employ more than 143,000 people. NPA is the premier association for parking owners & leaders—providing research, advocacy, and education and credentialing.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch (MLAB) – 2016 Outstanding Innovative Project of the Year – City of West Hollywood Automated Garage.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) mission is to provide essential value to our members, their careers, our partners and the public by developing leadership, advancing technology, advocating lifelong learning and promoting the profession. The Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch of ASCE is dedicated to serving its more than 3,000 members locally. MLAB’s membership is the largest local branch in the country and its breadth of engineering experience is demonstrated in the many volunteers who give their time and efforts to the betterment of the profession and the society.

Westside Urban Forum – 2016 Merit Award – Public/Institutional Category

Westside Urban Forum – 2016 Merit Award – Public/Institutional Category: City of West Hollywood Automated Garage and Community Plaza.

The Westside Urban Forum is the premier networking organization dedicated to the land-use dialogue impacting Los Angeles’ Westside. The Westside Prize recognizes projects, programs, policies and academic studies that demonstrate excellence in city making and community building.

AIA Orange County (AIAOC) – Honor Award

AIA Orange County (AIAOC) – Honor Award given to West Hollywood City Hall and Automated Parking Structure in the Commercial Category.

AIAOC is a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, established in 1952. The chapter is one of the largest chapters in the State of California with over 800 members. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world.