Construction is set to begin Monday, April 6, on a months-long revitalization of the Marion Parkade, a key downtown parking structure at 538 Liberty St. NE that serves workers, shoppers and visitors near Salem Center and surrounding businesses.
City officials say the work is designed to make the structure feel more open and easier to navigate, especially in the evening hours, while reducing long-term maintenance costs. The project is funded using Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal dollars, and the construction contract has been awarded to PCL Construction Services LLC.
At the center of the redesign are major stairwell changes. The city says existing stairs will be replaced, and walls around the stair areas will be removed so people can more clearly see who is entering and exiting the building. New overhead roof structures are also planned above each staircase entrance, intended to provide weather protection and help the entrances stand out…