Civic Center Parking Structure Renovation

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The City of Alameda is making improvements at the downtown Civic Center Parking Garage on Oak Street to make it a safer, cleaner, and more user-friendly experience for everyone.

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The Civic Center Parking Structure, located at 1416 Oak Street, was built in 2007 and has since provided public parking to support downtown Alameda. The facility serves local businesses, City staff and fleet vehicles, and includes amenities such as EV charging stations, bicycle lockers, parking validation for the Alameda Theatre, monthly permit parking, an elevator, and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible spaces on each level.

During construction, the facility will undergo renovation upgrades to improve safety, security, and overall functionality.

The scope of work includes installation of access control doors at ground-level vehicle entrances, pedestrian gates at entry and exit locations, and decorative paneling for open-air sections, enabling the garage to be securely closed during non-operating hours. Additionally, upper levels of the structure will be restricted to official City vehicles and secured with motorized gates and integrated access control. The existing parking guidance system will be replaced with a modern system to provide real-time occupancy data. Identified lighting fixtures will be upgraded to energy-efficient LED technology to enhance visibility and reduce maintenance costs. Interior wall and ceiling surfaces, including stairwells, will be coated with anti-graffiti paint to promote cleanliness, enhance visibility, and deter vandalism. In addition, the north and west-facing exterior surfaces will be painted. Repairs will also be made to the neon Civic Center marquee facing Oak Street.

The City is also addressing many physical barriers identified in its ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for this facility. Planned improvements include the addition of visual contrast markings at both stairwell treads, installation of detectable warning strips near elevator platform and stairwells, and modifications to parking stalls to meet length and van accessibility requirements. The project will also prepare to address electric vehicle charging accessibility.

November 2025: Contractor scheduled to mobilize and begin construction.

November 24, 2025: Press Release - City staff announce project update to the community.

October 31, 2025: Pre-Job Conference between Alameda County Building Trades Council, Contractor and City staff.

September 2, 2025: City Council awards a Construction Contract to Bay Construction, Co.

June 2, 2025: Bids due for the project.

May 2, 2025: City staff advertised an Invitation to Bid.

April 30, 2025: The City Building department approved and issues a Commercial Combination Building Permit.

October 24, 2024: The City Planning department approved design review.

September 24, 2024: City staff submit design review application to the Planning department.

September 3, 2024: City staff submit construction documents to the Building department for review and comment.

July 15, 2024: Press Release - City staff seek feedback from the community via short survey.

January 8, 2024: City staff and Architect begin design work for the Civic Center Parking Structure Renovation.

December 19, 2023: An Agreement is executed for Architectural Design Services, with International Parking Design, Inc.

June 20, 2023: City Council appropriates funds for this project in the FY23/24-24/25 capital budget.

Construction Schedule Summary

Construction will occur during normal business hours on weekdays. The work will be completed in phases to limit disruptions and keep the community moving safely. The project is planned from late November 2025 through March 2026, with most exterior activity taking place in January and February along Oak Street and the CVS side. Access to the facility will remain open, with occasional pedestrian and vehicle detours as needed. Permit Parkers may park throughout the facility without risk if receiving a citation. There are no planned outages to either the paid parking system or Electric Vehicle charging stations. There are no planned outages to the elevator. Drivers should expect intermittent impacts and follow posted detours and on-site signage.

Because construction timelines can be affected by material availability and weather, some schedule changes may occur.

 

Late November – Early December 2025

Project Start & Preparations

  • The contractor will begin mobilizing equipment and setting up the construction area.
  • Initial work includes submittals, site preparation, and demolition of select concrete and miscellaneous materials.

Impact:
Minimal public impact during this phase.

 

December 2025 – January 2026

Interior Improvements

A major portion of the work involves interior painting and upgrades:

  • December: Painting work begins on the upper floors (5th–3rd floors).
  • Late December to mid-January: Painting continues on the lower floors (2nd–Ground floors).
  • Mid-January: Work begins on the first floor and CVS-front area.

Impact:
No exterior disruptions are expected. Building access will remain open, but subject to temporary floor closures.

 

January – February 2026

Exterior Work on Oak Street & CVS Area

  • Installation of detectable warning strips and striping in key pedestrian areas.
  • Pedestrian gate work in late December and again in February.
  • Exterior improvements along Oak Street and the CVS side beginning in February.
  • Vehicle roll-up door installation in late February.

Impact:
Temporary sidewalk detours and narrowed pedestrian walkways may occur. Clear signage will be provided.

 

Late January – March 2026

Fencing, Gates & Security Improvements

  • Construction of new fencing on the CVS side and Oak Street side begins late January.
  • Installation of the 5th-floor gate and fencing in February.

Impact:
Some exterior work areas will be cordoned off; no long-term closures expected.

 

Late February – Mid-March 2026

Electrical & Lighting Upgrades

  • New first-floor electrical panel installation.
  • Electrical work continues from the 2nd to the 5th floor.
  • Installation of new lighting poles and fixtures in early March.

Impact:
Short, localized power shutdowns may occur inside the building but will be communicated in advance.

 

Mid-March 2026

Project Completion & Demobilization

  • Final tasks include striping, site cleanup, and removal of all construction equipment.
  • The project is scheduled to be fully completed by March 18, 2026.

Impact:
None expected.

1. When will construction take place?

Construction is scheduled from late November 2025 through March 2026, with most exterior work occurring in January and February 2026.

2. What are the construction work hours?

All work will occur during normal business hours on weekdays.

3. Will the parking facility remain open during construction?

Yes. The facility will remain open throughout the entire project, though there may be temporary pedestrian and vehicle detours.

4. Will Permit Parkers still be able to park without receiving citations?

Yes. Permit Parkers may park anywhere in the facility without risk of receiving a citation during construction.

5. Will the elevators, paid parking system, or EV chargers be affected?

No outages are currently planned for the elevator, paid parking system, or Electric Vehicle charging stations.

6. What kinds of detours or closures should drivers and pedestrians expect?

Expect intermittent impacts, including temporary sidewalk detours, narrowed walkways, and short-term floor closures inside the building. All changes will have clear on-site signage.

7. What improvements are being made during the renovation?

Upgrades include:

  • New pedestrian and vehicle gates
  • Access control doors
  • Decorative paneling for secure off-hours closure
  • LED lighting upgrades
  • New parking guidance system
  • Interior painting and anti-graffiti coatings
  • ADA improvements (warning strips, contrast markings, parking stall updates)
  • Repairs to the Civic Center marquee

8. Will there be any power shutdowns?

Only short, localized interior power shutdowns may occur during the electrical upgrade phase (late Feb–mid March 2026). These will be communicated in advance.

9. Could the construction schedule change?

Yes. Weather conditions and material availability may cause schedule adjustments. Any updates will be communicated as needed.

10. When is the project expected to be completed?

The project is planned to be fully completed by March 18, 2026, with final cleanup and demobilization occurring in mid-March.

11. I have general project questions. Who can I contact?

For any questions about the project, please contact:

Ricardo De La Torre
Project Manager, Public Works Department
Phone: (510) 747-7923
Email: rdelatorre@alamedaca.gov