Design-Build Repair Expansion Joints – Building 55 Parking Garage
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs
LOCATION: Tampa, FL
SIZE: $681,175
PRIME: AACON General Contractors
AWARD DATE: September 2023
COMPLETED: September 2024
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded AACON a design-build contract for structural rehabilitation and waterproofing of the Building 55 parking structure at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The project was awarded as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) sole-source contract. The scope included removal and replacement of failed expansion joints, structural concrete repair, and installation of new waterproof membrane systems in a multi-level parking structure located within an active medical campus.
Site Preparation: AACON coordinated design and engineering services to evaluate the existing parking structure and develop a phased plan that minimized disruption to hospital operations and public access. Prior to mobilization, AACON implemented safety barriers, dust control systems, and pedestrian signage to maintain continuous hospital functionality. The construction area was divided into phases to allow ongoing use of parking levels, with clear traffic control and containment measures enforced in collaboration with the VA Safety Office.
Work Features: AACON, serving as Prime Contractor, led all structural and waterproofing repair efforts in coordination with its key subcontractor, STRUCTURAL. Work included the removal and replacement of approximately 1,460 linear feet of failed sealants and backer rod, repaired shear connections using 425 carbon-fiber “biscuits” (V2 Structural Systems) set in epoxy adhesive, and installation of 720 square feet of new roofing and waterproof membrane systems (EDPM membrane with 35-year Drexel Metals warranty). Additional work involved surface preparation, concrete patching, joint material replacement, and installation of bird-spike deterrents, wood blocking, and metal coping to extend the service life of the structure.
During construction, the VA Safety Office requested additional signage and containment measures to enhance public safety within the active parking facility. AACON promptly implemented these modifications without delay, reinforcing barrier systems and improving fall protection controls. When unforeseen deterioration was discovered in additional expansion joints, AACON collaborated with the VA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to reprioritize work and reallocate scope to address the most critical structural repairs first. This approach ensured structural integrity and safety without the need for contract modification or cost increases.
Through proactive field management, precise scheduling, and responsive communication with VA representatives, AACON completed the project on time and within budget while maintaining uninterrupted hospital operations. The success of this project led the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider additional phases of garage rehabilitation, reinforcing AACON’s reputation for excellence in managing complex federal construction projects within occupied and sensitive environments.
