We'll Need more oversight on the Parking Deck
There are so many shortcomings and apparent code violations on our Parking Garage today that we'll need additional peer review, forensic engineering analysis to quantify all damages, and make those responsible for these problems fully accountable.
About Ponding Water on the Top Deck
updated 7/25/2025
This is not a good thing. The Engineer is clearly responsible for not engineering the top level drainage per applicable codes, which require stormwater to be managed properly and not to accumulate the way it currently does after even a short rainfall event.
Standing water will greatly shorten the lifespan of the asphalt surface, creating additional operational costs.
Owners, Trustees, and Management need to unite as Walker Parking Consultants is brought to account for this serious problem, and to render the Project code-compliant.
Is the General Contractor, IRS, solely accountable for the Parking Garage Renovation Project's shortcomings? They're responsible for the lousy workmanship and breaches of construction contract, but Walker Parking Consultants bears responsibility for insufficient and incompetent design work on the original drawings and specs.
updated 7/25/2025
It is a concerning indicator. A new asphalt topping should be comparable to the smoothness of a NJ highway surface, which all drivers know is typically very smooth.
The new asphalt topping on our Parking Garage top deck is not at all smooth, and is indicative of inferior methodology in the application of the topping.
Further professional investigation by the Board and Management is warranted, likely requiring outside professional forensic Engineering and Peer Review analyses, in conjunction with a skilled Construction Litigator.
This is further indicative of an incompetent Engineer-of-Record, who Owners had been informed had been monitoring the Project throughout the Construction phase. Why did Walker Parking Consultants not stop the project when it was clear that the General Contractor was not installing the new pavement surface properly?
Flooding on the Lower Deck
updated 7/25/25
After almost two years under construction, the Lower Level of our Parking Deck is now unsafe and unusable.
The Engineer-of-Record must be held accountable for at least the following issues:
Why was the Contractor allowed to fall so far behind schedule
Flooding is rampant over much of the lower level
there is no permanent lighting installed
there is a new concrete curb installed right at the exit from the pedestrian corridor leading into the garage, which is clearly a tripping hazard.
updated 7/25/2025
This is problematic. Typically, the Engineer-of-Record is responsible for all aspects of a major project, especially one as large as our Parking Garage. Management informs that the lighting was an "option" for Walker Parking Consultants, and IH decided to break it off and award the lighting portion of the Project to another designer (Owners don't yet know who that is).
Unfortunately, breaking off the lighting component raises a host of liability issues when it comes to lower level egress (emergency escape) and compliance with applicable lighting codes (IECC 2021).
Who now is responsible for lower level life safety:
Walker Parking Consultants?
Taylor Management?
The Board?
The new (as-yet unnamed) Lighting Designer?
Our HOA needs transparency here. We are paying for Taylor Management guidance, maybe the answers should start from there (?). We're also paying for Project Management (Mr. Russell Arnold). Between these two paid consultants, we must obtain clarity .
updated 7/25/2025
Major Projects such as our Parking Deck Renovation/Restoration need to meet County and NJDEP water quality standards.
A walk around both the Upper and Lower level decks of our Parking Garage upon inspection suggest that the Walker Parking Consultants was not even aware of NJ and Monmouth County environmental protection requirements.
Walker Parking Consultants must produce all required documentation of compliance upon the Board's demand.