7/31/2012
The ribbon cutting for the new 5-story parking deck at South Georgia Medical Center was held Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce facilitated the ribbon cutting and members of the South Georgia Classic Car Club, Inc. graciously agreed to hold a small cruise-in with vintage vehicles to entertain the crowd. Located on the corner of Pendleton Drive and Patterson Street, the deck adds approximately 725 parking spaces for patients, visitors, physicians, students and staff. The project cost $10.5 million with part of the cost covered by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. “Parking has been a challenge for our patients, visitors and staff for years,” explains Randy Sauls, CEO. “With the addition of the parking deck, we hope to meet the needs of our patients and patrons for years to come.”The deck was designed by McCall and Associates of Valdosta with engineering consultation provided by Carter and Sloope of Macon and Timothy Haahs and Associates of Alpharetta. Cauthan Construction of Valdosta constructed the parking deck using cast-in- place concrete with pre-cast architectural panels. The second story of the deck connects to the front cafeteria hallway with a glass-paneled walkway. The deck will accommodate cars, vans and SUVs. The deck will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Approximately 50 surveillance cameras and a dedicated security office will provide 24-hour security.The deck covers an expansive area of ground extending from the middle of the former visitors parking lot on Pendleton southward over the detention pond to Cowart Street. The employee entrance to the parking deck will be from Cowart Street to minimize the impact to travelers going north on Patterson Street.“We have watched this project with great anticipation and we are happy this day has arrived,” Sauls said. “This is just the beginning of vast changes to our hospital campus over the next two years. This is an exciting time.” For more information, contact Community Relations at 229-259-4420.
