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Page 16 — Health Care Properties Quarterly — April 2017
Construction
R eal estate is a precious com-
modity in this booming
construction market. Areas
dedicated to parking are
limited, and parking facili-
ties should be designed to meet the
ever-changing landscape of drivers
and their vehicles. Contractors and
developers have a responsibility to
their health care facility clients, as
well as those clients’ patients, visi-
tors and staff, to identify and imple-
ment cost-effective and pleasant
parking solutions that meet current
and future needs.
I know from experience that the
first impression of a health care
parking facility can set the tone for
a customer’s entire visit.
My father was recently hospi-
talized and I drove my mother to
the hospital to visit him. As we
entered the two-lane parking area,
we found a long line of cars merged
into one lane. The other lane was
closed for construction work and the
parking garage entrance was par-
tially blocked while crews unloaded
equipment.
My mother grumbled that, “This
place is always under construction!”
She was worried about my dad and
now we had an army of parking chal-
lenges to work through before secur-
ing a parking spot and getting to his
room. We arrived late to his room
and missed part of the consultation
with his doctor. As I worked through
my irritation, I wondered how many
other patients and visitors deal with
this same issue each day.
Many health
care campuses
that are undergo-
ing new construc-
tion or updating
existing areas are
adding amenities
to enhance the
customer parking
experience, includ-
ing complimentary
valet parking at
major entrances
and electronic
signage to com-
municate which
floors of a parking facility have
available parking spots. Some health
care facility parking areas even offer
alternative-energy parking stalls,
charging stations for electric cars,
canopy parking and shuttle service.
While the end result is terrific, the
construction disruptions can be
overwhelming for patients, visitors
and staff.
Planners, developers and the entire
build and design team add value
by guiding their health care clients
through the most efficient solution
that addresses today’s parking needs,
anticipates future parking consider-
ations and reduces parking facility
maintenance. Contractors have the
additional responsibility of allowing
their clients to conduct daily opera-
tions with minimal disruption. Block-
ing a parking entrance during visitor
hours is not considered “minimal
disruption.”
My recent hospital parking experi-
ence was highly irritating, but was
good for me because it reminded me
contractors play an integral role in
providing pleasant and efficient cus-
tomer parking experiences. We guide
clients in their decision-making
during the parking facility planning
process. For example, we can reduce
parking facility maintenance by
using new and improved materials
(i.e. long lasting and easy-to-blend
paint). We can anticipate future
needs, such as spaces for electric
car charging and separate areas for
valet use, and incorporate those
needs into the building process. And
we can schedule crews to work dur-
ing off-peak hours to enhance the
customer parking experience during
busy times.
Patients, visitors, physicians and
staff all want to get in and out of
health care facilities as efficiently as
possible and they expect convenient,
safe parking options. Health care
providers want to offer best-in-class
parking facilities that meet budgets
and enhance the customer experi-
ence. The build and design teams are
the forward thinkers and doers that
can make it happen.s
Brian Mulnix
Business
development
manager,
Catamount
Constructors Inc.,
Denver
Contractors have the additional responsibility of allowing their clients to conduct daily
operations with minimal disruption.